it's true. I think about Clayton a lot.
I don't understand this comment. As stated several times, Cripps has never played in a final, so there's no proof that we would've gone B2B if he was in our team.
Did you watch the last 2 Carlton games for the year?
but to be fair he wouldn't have if he played for melbourne with dees' midfield how many votes is Cripps realistically getting, 15? maybe 18 maximum.
Did he drag them over the line?
I think only 15 or 16. And would've polled the least of the 3.
I watched Oliver turn around a Grand Final against my own team think you're talking shite here
What about Fritsch? He completely changed the momentum of the game in the third quarter.
Most of my stuff is just responding to the pure absurdity coming out of Dansters posts... harsh
It's interesting that you think it was Oliver. I watched with a mate, a Western Bulldogs supporter, and both of us think it was Jackson going into the ruck that turned the game. We also thought, as good as Oliver was, that Petracca was better.
Cripps.
Oliver is extremely consistent and a beast in the packs and would love him at my club: he's better at what he does than anyone we have (including our recruit Tom Mitchell). He gives about 10-15 minutes of dynamite pretty much every quarter he plays, and he's a big part of why Melbourne blow sides away quickly.
His stamina is good and he is very durable: haven't seen him play injured but i suspect he would still produce. Defensive side is OK but not brilliant. He's not visibly a leader, he does set a brilliant example and supports his team mates and seems to bring his best effort all the time.
Cripps is a leader, his example but also active direction on the ground is obvious even to an enemy side: in fact Carlton have an unhealthy absence of leaders aside from him. Skills are good inside and outside, he seems a bit more comfortable in the air than Oliver and almost as good on the deck. Has played injured a bit, so not as durable as Oliver, but still has acceptable output when limping.
Oliver is the better for centre clearances, around the ground Cripps seems more versatile (obviously you put your best in the centre so it's not a clear distinction) but the leadership factor, while hard to quantify, really does stand out as a point of difference.
Would swapping in Cripps for Oliver have won Melbourne a final this year? Cripps was hurt so maybe not. Certainly in the Carlton's two shameful late season capitulations it really was Cripps trying to drag a bunch of spineless carcasses over the line. They have a bunch of snipers and sooks like Owie and Curnow, once a run gets going they look like Phar Lap but if it gets tough they are donkeys.
Melbourne has enough exemplars and self-starters like May Petracca and Oliver, and some leadership (Gawn is a steady leader and hate to say it but that flog Viney does spur his mates on), so maybe Cripps wouldn't benefit them that much. The Dees get beaten by fit clubs that produce good footy in time on, its how the pretty shabby Pies list have picked them off recently. Melbourne doesn't have a lack of leadership, just maybe a few C and D tier players to fill in when their stars get tired.
Just so long as some idiot club doesn't gift them a super-fit AA player who can play 90% game time to support their rucks and mids...
