West Coast Eagles forward Jamie Cripps shares destroyed Northampton family home after Cyclone Seroja

The family of West Coast forward Jamie Cripps is one of a number in Northampton that have lost their homes after Cyclone Seroja swept through on Sunday night.

Cripps shared pictures of his old family home, now owned by his father John’s sister, which was destroyed in the storm, with the roof of the home missing, fences and shed destroyed and debris covering much of the farm property.

The 28-year-old is one of a number of AFL stars to come from the small North-West country town, including teammate Josh Kennedy, as well as third-cousin and Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps.

West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern has promised that the Eagles will rally around Kennedy, Cripps and their hometown Northampton after it was one of the towns devastated by Cyclone Seroja.

Northampton, alongside beach town Kalbarri, was the worst impacted by the category three cyclone, which has left many without homes and businesses destroyed.

“The boys were a bit sad to see somewhere you grew up like that, but the good think is no one was hurt,” Jamie’s mother Lisa said exclusively to The West Australian.

Cripps shared pictures of the farm on his Instagram page.

“Sad to see my old family home destroyed. Thinking of everyone back home in Northampton/Kalbarri,” he wrote.

Camera Icon Jamie Cripps’ family home was destroyed in Cyclone Seroja. Credit: Jamie Cripps/instagram/supplied Camera Icon The kitchen of Jamie Cripps’ family home was left without a roof after Cyclone Seroja. Credit: Jamie Cripps/instagram/supplied Camera Icon The wreckage at the Cripps’ farm. Credit: Jamie Cripps/instagram/supplied

Just earlier this year Cripps shared pictures of himself and his new-born son Reif at Horrocks Beach, a small beach-side town about 15km from Northampton.

In June last year, Patrick and Jamie both spent time in Horrocks and Northampton training during the AFL’s shutdown because of the coronavirus.

McGovern said West Coast teammates of the pair were quick to reach out to Cripps and Kennedy after hearing of the devastation caused by the cyclone.

“A lot of people they know have been affected and it is terrible,” he said. “You hate seeing it. It is a bit of a freak cyclone. I was speaking to Cripper and he said it was 40 years ago since the last cyclone went through. You don’t really expect it. They are all a bit shaken up, up there and I wish them all the best. I know the boys here at the footy club are going to do whatever we can to help support them.”

“I want to let them all know we are behind them. Keep your chins up and we will help them out when we can.”

Northampton, which has a population of about 800 people, is known for it’s remarkable ability to produce AFL footballers, including inaugural Eagle Andrew Lockyer, former Fremantle star Paul Hasleby, West Coast premiership player Daniel Chick and Geelong champion defender Harry Taylor.