Carlton dealt HUGE injury blow as Patrick Cripps is subbed off with hamstring injury leaving Blues to sweat on skipper’s fitness
- Patrick Cripps was substituted after the first quarter of game against Gold Coast
- Carlton skipper appeared to suffer an injury to his left hamstring
- Cripps has been dominant this season, averaging 32 disposals per game
- Blues trailed 49-35 against the Suns at halftime on Sunday
Carlton were dealt a huge blow on Sunday as Patrick Cripps was substituted out of the game against Gold Coast with a hamstring injury.
The Blues captain did not return for the second quarter and was replaced by medical substitute Jordan Boyd with Carlton trailing 35-20 after the first stanza.
It is still unclear how long Cripps, gathered seven disposals and kicked a goal in the first quarter against the Suns, will be out for.
Patrick Cripps was substituted with a hamstring injury after the first quarter of Carlton’s game against the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday afternoon
Cripps has been arguably one of the best players in the competition this season, averaging 32 disposals and two goals per game and delivering best on ground performances against Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in the first two rounds.
The Blues have rallied behind their skipper, who was hampered by injuries over the last few seasons but has been a key influence this term.
Carlton have won their first three games of the season under new boss Michael Voss and look well placed to make the finals for the first time since 2013.
The Blues skipper gathered seven disposals and kicked a goal in the first quarter
Cripps has been one of the players of the campaign so far, averaging 32 disposals and two goals per game after three rounds of the AFL season
Over the past five years, 90 percent of teams that started 3-0 have made the finals, with 70 percent reaching the preliminary final and 40 percent going all the way to the Grand Final.
The Blues last played at the MCG in the last weekend of September back in 1999 and haven’t won the flag since 1995.
Carlton host winless Port Adelaide next week, before a trip to Perth to face Fremantle is followed by back-to-back home games against North Melbourne and Adelaide.
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