A new hero emerged, but this win proves how much Carlton still need Patrick Cripps

May 17, 2026 — 12:53am

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Carlton still needs Patrick Cripps. Over the next three months, they need to convince the captain that he still needs them.

A harrowing week at Princes Park finished with a drought-breaking win largely, but not solely, because of the deeds of the man wearing the No.9 in the navy blue.

Lauded for his work behind the scenes in rousing a shattered group, Cripps stole the show on centre stage in the final quarter with a virtuoso performance reminiscent of his Brownlow years to haul his side over the line by two goals against the Western Bulldogs – 10.14 (74) to 9.8 (62).

If Michael Voss found a spare few hours to watch the game on Saturday night while moving house, he may have asked himself why the Blues could not produce such a performance when it mattered for him.

The majority of the 39,217 fans in a navy blue-dominated house spent much of the game wondering when the fadeouts, which have crippled the Blues’ season – and cost Voss his job - would come.

Instead, they were treated to a cathartic final quarter when the Blues, against their season trend, booted five goals in a row to turn an eight-point deficit at the last change into a match-winning 23-point lead, though there were more than a few a touch nervy when the Dogs dragged the margin back to 11 points with 28 seconds left.

“I wasn’t comfortable,” interim coach Josh Fraser admitted.

The win was built on the Blues’ strengths – clearance ( 9) and contest ( 31). Here, it was accompanied by their pressure, which Fraser had made a focus pregame to connect with the fans, but has been missing for large periods this year.

Cripps........

© Brisbane Times