Carlton defender Nic Newman is in awe of Patrick Cripps as the Blues captain eyes a second Brownlow Medal in three seasons.
Cripps is arguably having a better campaign than in 2022 when he claimed the AFL’s highest individual honour in dramatic fashion.
The 29-year-old is coming off a stellar 40 possession, 14 clearance masterclass in Carlton’s 61-point demolition of Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
Cripps has firmed into second favourite for the Brownlow, only behind Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.
After years of toiling away in a struggling team, Cripps is reaping the rewards as Carlton sit second as they look to improve on a breakthrough preliminary final berth last year.
“He’s a bit of a marvel to watch – sometimes at half-back you just watch him and ‘Walshy’ (Sam Walsh) go to work at the centre clearances and it’s pretty nice as a defender to see them running out of the centre bounce, kicking goals,” Newman said on Tuesday.
“It’s no secret if you followed him around for a week and see the way he prepares and the amount of work he puts in.
“He gets everything he deserves so it’s good to see him playing some good footy.”
Carlton will travel for a return clash with GWS at Engie Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues took down the Giants by 19 points back in round six when GWS were premiership favourites after a stunning start to the season.
But the Giants have fallen to 10th in a concerning form slump that has them battling just to make finals this year.
“Footy changes so quickly, within a couple of weeks the narrative can be completely different,” Newman admitted.
“We’re doing a really good job as a footy club to keep our focus narrow and look at what’s right in front of us rather than looking too far ahead.”
Newman has had a lockdown job on GWS captain Toby Greene in recent times, but the 31-year-old was coy when asked if he would be in for another job on the Giants star.
“I’m not sure who will get that matchup (on Greene) but no doubt there will be times where we all have to spend some time on him.”
Carlton will be hoping defender Jordan Boyd can make the trip to Sydney, after being suspended for one game for making forceful front-on contact with Richmond’s Rhyan Mansell.
Boyd is challenging the ban at the tribunal on Tuesday night.