Ahead of game 200, Patrick Cripps reveals when he felt he'd made it as an AFL player

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps will notch up his 200th AFL game when he leads his side out against Western Bulldogs on Saturday at Marvel Stadium.

The 2022 Brownlow Medallist, who is now outright favourite to take home the coveted award for a second time, felt he only really belonged at AFL level after reaching 100 games.

“I feel like at 100 games you’re an AFL player, 200 games is a really big milestone,” Cripps told reporters.

“It’s a body of work to get there.

“It’s 11 years now, obviously I’ve had a lot of support along the way not only from the club but from family and friends.

“Really looking forward to his weekend. It’s going to be an exciting game and I feel I have got a lot left in the tank.”

Cripps, who has come of age since entering the competition just over a decade ago as a young lad from remote Western Australia, understands his leadership will need to come to the fore.

He has viewed his own development as a footballer and man as a growing proposition which has changed from year to year.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Cripps said.

“Any 18-year-old coming into the whole system, you’re just in awe of the AFL.

“It’s your dream, (to play in the AFL) but you’ve got no idea who you are and what you’re about. I feel from 18-25 your sort of trying to work yourself out and understand yourself.

“At the start (of my career) it was lead by example, the way you play, as you get older your always trying to get the best out of yourselves, but then how you can get the best out of others around you.

“I get a lot of joy helping other guys around me to get the most out of their potential but most importantly when you’re a leader you do it to get the most out of the group.

Cripps’ selfless approach has arguably led to a career-best season and has the Blues second favourite to win the premiership this season.

Trust and evolution are two words which have done the rounds through the walls of IKON Park this season… something which, given past regimes, has been a welcome change at the club. Cripps referenced his improvement as an outside player has been part of his consistently strong form as well as the positive win-loss ledger as a team.

“You’re always trying to find ways to get better,” Cripps said.

“I feel now we’ve got a really stable group and trust in guys that are going to play a high-level role and you can expand certain parts of your game.

“I’ve tried to develop my outside game a bit more and get on the end of handball receives and use my power a bit more than what I probably did in the past.

“When you play in a team that has played together for a bit now, there is a high level of trust, guys play a really high standard and you don’t need to overreach.

I’m really clear on my role, what I need to do for the side and that’s just what I’ve been doing lately.

It also helps when you start winning and being part of successful wining environment helps your own form - when you’ve got a lot of guys playing with confidence and belief.”

The Blues take on the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.