Patrick Cripps’ back injury revealed after subpar start to 2021 AFL season

A significant injury has reportedly been hindering Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps across the first two months of the AFL season.

The Age reported on Thursday morning that Cripps has a fracture in his back — an injury that has required the star midfielder to have weekly injections to help him play.

While it’s reduced his movement and ability to gather the footy below his knees, the report suggested he isn’t at risk of making the injury worse.

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It’s understood Cripps’ back fracture is a result of a knock he suffered during a pre-season game. The Age reported Cripps’ injury is similar to the one Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale played through at the start of this season.

The Herald Sun reported Cripps had now recovered from the back issue, despite accumulating just 15 disposals against the Western Bulldogs in Round 8.

Eyebrows were raised during Carlton’s loss to the Bulldogs on Sunday when Cripps started the third term on the bench and stayed there for seven minutes.

Blues coach David Teague said post-game Cripps was taking his turn in the rotations as the Blues tried to manage its supposedly growing list of inside midfielders.

Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images

But dual premiership Kangaroo David King questioned whether the Blues were “maximising” Cripps.

“I’ve seen him running around, he’s not the sort of guy that should be playing 25 minutes straight, he’s not. He needs rest. He’s a burst operator,” King told Fox Footy’s First Crack.

“So I think it’s really disappointing the use of Patrick Cripps today, particularly after half-time, put your captain out there, let him be the man. He gave a speech to the boys and then jogged to the bench. That’s just ridiculous.”

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Cripps’ form so far this season has been a major talking point, especially with the Blues co-captain out of contract at season’s end.

The 26-year-old has polled just six votes so far in the AFL Coaches’ Association MVP — an award he came runner-up in three years ago before finishing equal-fifth in 2019. He’s also averaged just 5.6 clearances – his lowest number since his debut season in 2014 – and 24.4 disposals – his lowest since his second season – per game in a year where the 3-5 Blues have struggled to get going.

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Speaking on AFL 360 earlier this week, co-host Mark Robinson said Cripps’ value shouldn’t solely revolve around “dollars and performance”.

“Patrick Cripps is more than that – he‘s the captain of the Carlton Football Club,” Robinson told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“If you‘ve ever had an opportunity to speak to Cripps about what the Carlton Football Club means to him and what it’s done for his own life, in his personal development, I would be staggered if Patrick Cripps is not at the Blues next year.”