Patrick Cripps cops barb from wife amid heartfelt tribute during Brownlow Medal speech
Cripps' wife Monique joked that her husband prepared for the Brownlow ceremony by watching his own highlights.
After winning his second Brownlow Medal on Monday night Patrick Cripps paid tribute to his biggest supporter, his wife Monique, in an emotional and heartfelt speech. Cripps polled 45 votes, including 12 three-vote games out of the 24 rounds to win with the most ever votes.
Taking to the podium after it was announced that he had taken out the AFL's most prestigious award for the second time, the Carlton star first thanked his teammates and coaches before turning his attention to his wife and addressing her playful swipe at him on the red carpet on the way in. "Lastly, to my wife Mon,” Cripps said.
"You are looking beautiful tonight. I think it's the best kit you ever had so far, so well done. Even though she threw me under the bus at the red carpet (and) told everyone I watch my (own) highlights."
The moment Cripps was referring to was an earlier interview with Channel 7's Abbey Holmes as the pair arrived. Holmes asked the 29-year-old how he was feeling about the night ahead, to which the Carlton star said he was both nervous and excited. Holmes then directed a question to Monique asking if her husband had been practising his Brownlow medal acceptance speech in the mirror to which she said: "No he's just been watching his own highlights, that's all". Cripps chuckled saying: "That's mad but sometimes yeah".
Later in his Brownlow acceptance speech, Cripps said even though his wife had thrown him under the bus earlier, he and their daughter Koda were lucky to have her in a heartfelt statement. "What you do for our family ... you are a special person,” Cripps said.
"I appreciate what you do. Since you’ve been a mum, you have inspired me and I know Koda (his recently born daughter) is lucky to have you as a mum.”
The couple became parents to daughter Koda this year, with the midfielder happy and settled off the field in his 11th season. Monique looked on with pride as Cripps spoke and later lifted the lid about what he is was like at home. “He’s a little lazy,” she said with a laugh. “No, no, no, he’s pretty good. I think he’s so put together and so motivated at the club, he comes home and can relax and whatnot.
“He’s always in routine ... Especially with our daughter, with you know ... he takes hold of everything. He’s actually an amazing dad. Look, it’s been hard through footy season because we understand they need their sleep to optimise their performance. I have taken ... I have taken that on. But, nah, he’s fine. He’s loving. He’s a softy. Yeah. I think he ... he never really pictured having a daughter, as such. But I don’t think he can imagine having a boy now. Yeah. So, no, it’s been amazing. He’s a great dad.”
Patrick Cripps sets sights on AFL flag after second Brownlow
Cripps now has two Brownlow Medals to his name but says he would trade both of them for an elusive AFL premiership with Carlton. Cripps was born in 1995, the same year as the Blues' last premiership and after promising to be in contention for the flag this season, they bowed out in a whimper in the elimination final.
And when asked on Tuesday if he would trade either of his top individual accolades for a premiership medal, Cripps without missing a beat said he'd happily trade them both. "I would trade both for a flag. It's just what everyone dreams of," Cripps said.
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"Last night was amazing and I loved it and it was great to share it with my teammates and my family and my friends but there's just something about that last day in September. When you watch it and the buzz that everyone gets when they win one - it looks like the most fun.
"You talk to anyone that's won one and they say the same thing. That's what you play footy for ... so that's what drives me and I know it drives a lot of the boys at Carlton as well. We can't impact now but that's what motivates us going forward."
with AAP
