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“Perfect fit”: Would Cripps ever pull on an Eagles jumper?
Luke Mathews • April 11th, 2025 8:00 pm
SEN WA’s Tim Gossage and Paul Hasleby have disagreed on the possibility that Carlton captain Patrick Cripps would facilitate a trade to Western Australia to finish his career.
The two-time Brownlow Medallist has a strong connection to WA having grown up in Northampton and there has been lingering speculation throughout his career as to whether he would ever return home.
Gossage believes the five-time best and fairest winner would be the perfect fit for Andrew McQualter’s side, saying the superstar would change the feeling at the struggling club.
“He’s the perfect fit, that’s exactly what we’re talking about for West Coast,” Gossage remarked on SEN WA.
“He’s connected to WA he wants to get back here as quick as possible.
“His role will not be to win a flag. He would change the mood and the setup of West Coast as a leader.
“His wife is Western Australian, all the family is over here.
"The mail is once the last ball is kicked in his contract and his days are over, he’ll get back post haste and live over here.
“He would walk in as captain, and he would set the standards that clearly at the moment are missing at West Coast both on and off the field from an outsider looking in.
“Finishing his career changing and starting the change of what West Coast could be going forward if they are not going to win a flag in ten years.
“What about doing that on the back of the work rate, the professionalism and the leadership qualities that one person could bring to that football club."
While Hasleby felt it was difficult to see the Carlton champion winning a premiership medal at the Blues, he believed the four time All-Australian wouldn’t jump ship to join the Eagles.
“Strongly agree that he won’t win a premiership at Carlton,” Hasleby claimed.
“It makes a fair bit of sense for West coast to do it, but I don’t think he would be interested in coming back to West Coast at this point in time.
“He’s a West Coast Eagles supporter so he grew up supporting West Coast but I don’t think he’s got that affiliation.
“100 per cent West Coast should make a serious play, but you asked me whether I could see it happening.
“To leave the club that he’s been so loyal to across his career, he would leave to a team that would give him the best chance to win a premiership.”
Before considering his future, Cripps will have his eyes set on claiming his first win of the season as the Blues take on the Eagles in a Saturday afternoon Gather Round clash.
