JUSTIN LANGER: Patrick Cripps ignoring his sweet tooth is why he is a two-time Brownlow medal winner

Last year, I sat in a cafe with Patrick Cripps, Carlton’s midfield maestro and now dual Brownlow medallist.

My life in professional sports has allowed me to meet some of the most elite athletes on the planet. This has been a privilege.

On that day, it was quickly apparent that Patty Cripps was more than just the perfect blend of creativity, skill, poise and leadership on the footy field.

During our conversation, one thing that remains tattooed in my mind was when Patty said that he hadn’t eaten a lolly or piece of chocolate for over a year.

When I smiled at his admission, he told me it was all a part of his quest to keep improving.

Already a winner of a Brownlow medal, Carlton’s captain was not satisfied with what he had already achieved but instead was musing on where he still could go.

All the greats have this trait.

They love the game as much as they love taking the road less travelled to achieve greatness, or at least to see how far they can push themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally to reach their wildest dreams.

This season, I watched Cripps step on to the Optus Stadium turf.

From the first bounce, his presence ignited a palpable shift in the stadium’s energy.

The kid was on fire. With a physique chiselled by hours of dedication and sacrifice, and a mind sharpened by countless hours of strategic planning and dreaming, Cripps transformed the playing field into a masterclass of personal brilliance.

Where others saw chaos in the game’s frenetic pace, Cripps conjured patterns and possibilities that left his opponents spinning.

With a deft touch that belies his imposing frame, he weaved through West Coast’s players like an old-school rover, even when he was spending time in the ruck.

His long and short kicking was enacted with laser-like precision, finding teammates in spaces that seemed non-existent moments before. In the air, he soared, plucking the ball from the sky amidst a mess of outstretched arms.

He dished out handballs that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Each disposal left spectators and opponents in awe and heartbroken if you followed the blue and gold like I was.

But there is so much more to Patrick Cripps than his skill set.

It’s in leadership where Cripps truly ascends to rarefied air. As the Blues skipper, he currently carries the weight of a club steeped in history. He does this with a smile. His leadership style is a blend of vocal encouragement and silent example. He leads from the front on the field, throwing his body into contests with reckless abandon, inspiring his teammates to match his intensity.

His preparation is meticulous, and his dedication is unwavering. It is said that long after his teammates have left the training ground, Cripps can often be found fine-tuning his skills, analysing game footage, or nailing his recovery sessions. He understands that greatness is more than just being good on game day.

Off the field, Cripps embodies the values of grace and humility. His interactions with fans, like he was with me, are marked by genuine warmth, respect, and appreciation.

The best leaders command a room, and in his acceptance speech on Monday night, he mixed articulate prose with the storytelling ability of the country kid that he is. His talk about his family was heart-warming, as was his respect and gratitude for his coach, Michael Voss.

Great captains don’t come around every day, but in Patrick Cripps, you have a superstar and a young man whose teammates and friends would run through walls for.

There is no greater compliment, and presently, there is no greater player.