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Brownlow winner Patrick Cripps reveals how a teammate’s mother ‘saved my night’ when he started drinking heavily because he thought he couldn’t win footy’s biggest prize
- Brownlow winner Patrick Cripps started drinking heavily early in the evening
- Cripps says teammate Harry McKay’s mother kept him sober enough for the prize
- Cripps admitted they enjoyed a few drinks after the awards ceremony on Sunday
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Carlton captain Patrick Cripps won the 2022 Brownlow Medal on Sunday night – and he thanks a teammate’s mother for keeping him sober enough to up his game when he took the award.
Cripp arrived at the awards ceremony severely jet lagged after racing home from a holiday in the Greek islands and started having a few drinks early in the evening.
Brownlow winner Patrick Cripps says Carlton teammate Harry McKay’s mother (seated to his right) has kept him sober enough to accept the award
Cripps pictured with partner Monique Fontana after she was announced as the 2022 Brownlow winner – with 29 votes for the 2020 winner Lachie Neale
“It was an interesting one, I thought I was a lock for a three in round 1, but I only got one…so I started a few [beers]Cripps explained to Xav, Michelle and Baz before breakfast Triple M.
“I always knew I had a chance with about five laps to go, if I was close.
“I was close by and Harry McKay’s mom was sitting next to me, so she started filling my water glass, so I slid a few up, so she probably saved my night.”
The 27-year-old became Carlton’s sixth Brownlow medalist in history, along with Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994), and Chris Judd (2010).
Cripps arrived at the awards ceremony without much sleep and then kicked off to celebrate his success
Cripps looked a little worse for wear during a Monday morning TV interview with Karl Stefanovic, who had a cheeky dig at the AFL star about his hazy appearance.
“My eyes, once I’ve had two beers, I’m done,” Cripps said. “You can probably tell I left my eyes on the counter for good last night.”
In the whirlwind since his name was read, Cripps said he had been inundated with text messages and celebratory videos from his brother and friends from his small hometown of Northampton, 500km north of Perth.
He said Brisbane’s Lachie Neale, who he won by one vote after three final round polls, was one of the first to reach out.
The Carlton skipper (pictured Monday morning) admitted he had enjoyed a late night out celebrating his big win
There were no hard feelings despite Cripps qualifying after successfully appealing a two-game suspension.
“He said ‘welcome to the club,’ Cripps said of Neale, who won the tally in 2020.
“Honestly I was hoping for a draw – I’m good friends with Lachie so that would have been great.
“But he said he was happy for me and that he would come and give me a big hug—he’s a ripper.”
Others in the ‘club’ to contact include former Blues skipper Chris Judd who was the last Carlton player to win the award in 2010, while also winning it in 2004 when he played for West Coast.
The 27-year-old gun-on-baller from Perth became Carlton’s sixth Brownlow medalist in history
Cripps had also received a message from another Eagles superstar Ben Cousins, who won it in 2005 – although Cripps said he hadn’t had time to read their messages.
“I was an Eagles fan growing up, in an era where they were really successful,” said the 27-year-old.
‘I talk to them a little bit. I saw Benny at Brownlow last year and I’ve always had a close relationship with Juddy, so it’s great to have their support.”
“I still see myself as a young kid, a footy lover and you get those moments like this, it just doesn’t really sink in.
“You get young kids at Carlton training that look up to you and that’s pretty special — I was one of them.”