Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps ineligible for WA Sports Star awards because he plays for Carlton

SportWest has promised to review the WA Sports Star nomination rules after Brownlow medallist and Northampton junior Patrick Cripps was deemed ineligible because he no longer lives in the state.

Cripps was a notable absentee among the star-studded final 12 nominations for the prestigious award which will be presented during a gala function at Optus Stadium on Thursday. Fremantle star Nat Fyfe claimed the award in both 2015 and 2019 after winning the Brownlow Medal. Ben Cousins (2005) and Simon Black (2002) are also former winners after receiving the AFL’s highest individual honour.

But rules which didn’t apply during Black’s victory now rule out players who are competing for interstate teams in domestic sports. Cripps captains Carlton and has been playing for the Blues since 2014. The residency rule doesn’t apply for West Australians who are living and competing overseas.

“The rules surrounding eligibility have changed at different times,” SportWest Member & Partnerships Manager Matt Bamford said.

“There’s always points in time when you look at the rules as they are today and whether or not they need to be considered as to their suitability moving forward.

“It’s always worth looking at how we do things. We look to improve on the awards every year, not only to acknowledge performance categories like this one but all sport in the community.”

Vicsport told The West Australian Cripps would be eligible to win their Male Athlete of the Year after meeting the criteria of living in the state for at least seven years. Nominations are still open for their award.

Camera IconPatrick Cripps playing for Northampton juniors when he was a youngster. Credit: Snapaction/Snapaction

Madison de Rozario (athletics), Nina Kennedy (athletics), Sami Whitcomb (basketball), Kristina Krstic (lawn bowls), Yale Steinepreis (canoe sprint), Ben Sainsbury (canoe sprint, paracanoe), Alana King (cricket), Jai Hindley (cycling), Matt Richardson (cycling), Samantha Kerr (football), Minjee Lee (golf) and Courtney Bruce (netball) have been named as the WA finalists.

Many of those spend little time living in WA due to competing overseas. Bamford said finding the right balance with the residential requirements for eligibility was not easy.

“It’s an interesting conversation,” he said.

“You do get people who become big names in national leagues. It’s not just the AFL footballers of the world. There’s certainly some very good cricketers doing great things with other BBL franchises that find themselves in the same circumstance under the rules as they are now.

“But we’re really pleased to see the talent of athlete that is competing and performing in all parts of the country.”