Under-fire Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has angrily denied reports that he stayed in a separate hotel to teammates ahead of the Blues’ loss to Sydney last Friday night.
The Blues face increased scrutiny following a disappointing first half to the AFL season, sitting 13th on the ladder with just four wins.
That included a 26-point loss in round 11 to the struggling Sydney Swans that has the blowtorch firmly aimed at the battling Blues.
Speaking on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified this week, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson singled out Cripps and teammate Sam Docherty, saying they stayed in a separate hotel to teammates which was not good for team unity and morale.
‘First of all, Patrick Cripps, when they had a short break after the West Coast game, was given leave to have an extra day at home, he’s obviously a Perth boy,’ Wilson said about Cripps.
‘I don’t think many eyebrows were raised over that, but internally a couple of people did.
‘Then before the Sydney game, I think Sam Docherty and Patrick Cripps didn’t stay at the team hotel, they stayed at a boutique hotel in Paddington.
‘Is that unusual? It just seems in times like this when you need to galvanise, it seemed a bit odd to me they weren’t all together after the game.’
Cripps has angrily denied the claims that he said questioned his character and commitment to the team
Cripps spent time with his wife and family members in Sydney after the match during his time off from the club
Caroline Wilson made the accusation on Footy Classified and questioned whether it was good for team unity and morale
Cripps responded on his Instagram account, firing back at Wilson that the information was incorrect and he didn’t stay at a separate hotel until after the Swans match.
‘I can cop criticism about form and losing but when it’s factually incorrect and questions my character and commitment to the team it p***es me off. This is the accountability as players that we would love to see with certain people in the media,’ he said.
‘For clarity for everyone, I stayed with the team the entire time they were in Sydney and joined my wife and family members on the Sat night as we had the weekend off.
‘We aren’t where we want to be as a team right now, but never question my commitment to this team or club.
‘I can’t wait for Friday night.’
Cripps’ post received support from teammate Trent Cotchin, who replied with applause emojis, Rebecca Judd – wife of club champion Chris Judd – who replied with a fist bump emoji, Bombers star Zach Merrett and Australian Boomers basketball star Nathan Sobey who replied with fire emojis.
Former Bachelor Sam Wood also launched an impassioned defence of Cripps and called for Wilson to be held accountable.
‘Good on you mate for posting this and standing up for yourself,’ he posted.
‘Imagine if certain media people had to live to the standards and scrutiny that you do. They would have been dropped, delisted and forgotten about decades ago.’
The post Patrick Cripps put up on Instagram that attracted support from an Olympic bronze medal winner and former Bachelor Sam Wood
A host of past and present AFL players liked the post including Bryce Gibbs, Adam Treloar, Marcus Bontempelli, Bradley Hill, Jack Steele and Tom Mitchell.
It comes as Carlton’s once-promising campaign plummets further after losing six of their past seven games, with their only win during that period coming against historically poor last-placed West Coast.
On Monday, the club confirmed board member Craig Mathieson had quit with immediate effect.
Unconfirmed reports suggested his resignation followed an argument with Carlton president Luke Sayers in the Blues’ change rooms after the defeat to the Swans.
Carlton have another tricky period ahead, starting with Friday night’s match against Melbourne coming off two-straight losses.
The Blues then clash with in-form rivals Essendon, followed by a danger home game against Gold Coast.
Mathieson’s uncle Bruce is a long-time Carlton powerbroker and a fortnight ago he fiercely criticised the club administration.
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