Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps has signed a monster new six-year contract in an enormous increase for the under-fire AFL membership.
The Blues (4-9) are out of finals competition and have commissioned an exterior evaluation of their underperforming soccer division as they search solutions to this 12 months’s shortcomings.
But Cripps’ signature comes as a powerful vote of confidence for the path he sees the membership taking in future seasons.
Originally from Western Australia, the 26-year-old midfielder was attributable to turn out to be a restricted free agent on the finish of this 12 months and he attracted loads of curiosity from rival golf equipment, together with West Coast and Fremantle.
“This place has become home – my decision was that simple,” Cripps stated.
“I couldn’t be extra assured in what we’re constructing right here.
“It will not be at all times going to be clean crusing, however this group is not going to cease working till we obtain what we’re striving for – profitable that seventeenth premiership.
“We’ve been through some tough periods as a group and we’ll continue to be challenged but none of that will shake our belief in the direction we are heading and what we are capable of.”
Dual All-Australian Cripps has performed 131 video games for Carlton in eight seasons and is a three-time best-and-fairest winner.
He flagged his intention to stay on the membership earlier this 12 months however took time to comply with the small print of his new deal.
“We’ve never seen a player more invested in seeing their football club succeed than Patrick Cripps,” Blues record boss Nick Austin stated.
“We all know he’s a high quality participant however extra importantly he’s an distinctive Carlton individual, who cares deeply about seeing this soccer membership succeed.
“From the moment we sat down to discuss Patrick re-signing, he made it clear he wanted what was best for the football club – that tells you the calibre of person he is.”
Cripps’ new deal comes in the identical month key ahead Harry McKay signed a two-year contract to stay at Carlton.
The 14th-placed Blues tackle Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
© AAP
