The “unbelievable” one-two midfield punch that has Carlton in a prime position

Carlton’s midfield stars Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh were immense in Sunday’s big win over Richmond.

The Blues would end up triumphing by 61 points in the wet at the MCG, but they didn’t get it all their way as the Tigers were within six points early in the third quarter.

After a Noah Balta goal in the sixth minute of the ‘premiership quarter’, the Blues would pile on seven unanswered goals to enter the fourth term with a 45-point lead.

Much of that onslaught was to do with captain Cripps and his sidekick Walsh who were simply dominant.

Kane Cornes highlighted the numbers the “unbelievable” pairing produced, praising them for being just as important as Sydney’s terrific triumvirate of Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner.

“I just want to talk about Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh and the combination of those two in the midfield,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“We have spoken a lot about the Sydney trio this year, but this one-two punch for the Blues is unbelievable.

“I want to focus on the third quarter. You look at the end result and the Blues win by 61 points, you’d think that was a pretty comfortable game if you hadn’t seen it, but there was a moment early in the third where Richmond were challenging them.

“This is what Patrick Cripps did: 16 disposals, three clearances, two score involvements, three inside 50s and a goal in the third term alone. Some players would be happy with that for a game.

“His partner-in-crime Sam Walsh had 11 disposals, three clearances, a goal, four tackles and three score involvements.

“Between them: 27 disposals, six clearances, two goals, four inside 50s, five tackles, five score involvements, and the Blues kicked seven goals to one on the third term.

“That is what the Blues have done all year. That is why, led by those two, that they are the biggest challengers to Sydney for the premiership this year.”

Cripps finished with 40 disposals, 14 clearances, nine centre clearances, nine inside 50s, eight score involvements, three goal assists and a goal.

Walsh contributed 26 touches, 10 tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s, two goals and a goal assist.

Cornes further commended second-placed Carlton for the way they have performed in 2024 after tasting finals last year for the first time in a long time.

He feels they are perfectly placed for a tilt at a Grand Final appearance.

“What Michael Voss has done for the Blues has just been extraordinary, really,” he added.

“There’s a lot of belief in that group. That’s why it was so important for them to experience the big stage last year. They ticked that off and they go, ‘Ok, we actually belong in big games, we belong in September’.

“Blues fans, you should be pretty excited about the way that this back half of the season is going to play out.”

The Blues, who have five on the trot, next meet the struggling Giants at Engie Stadium on Saturday night.