AFL Origin: Western Australian captain Patrick Cripps talks up state pride ahead of ‘special’ homecoming

Western Australian captain Patrick Cripps says he will relish every moment he has in the black and gold in AFL Origin as he prepares to represent his state for the first time in more than a decade. Hailing from the Mid-West football factory that is Northampton, Cripps has claims to being their greatest ever product with two Brownlow Medals to his name among a litany of accolades. Unlike fellow local stars like cousin Jamie or West Coast legend Josh Kennedy, Cripps has not had the chance to play in front of a true home crowd since being drafted from East Fremantle in 2013. But the return of the marquee fixture will allow Cripps to indulge in the WA pride, which he has only witnessed from afar, or in the opposition throughout his senior career. “Growing up in a two-team state alot of us know that to get drafted and chase your dream, you’ve got to go over east, and once you get into a club, you want to build that up,” he told 7News. “For a lot of us to go back and reconnect with not just players we’ve played with before but to represent our state means a lot.” Cripps was one of the key drivers in making Origin’s return a reality, having campaigned directly with AFL boss Andrew Dillon for its return. “I could see how much it meant to him if that opportunity could happen,” Dillon said at the announcement of Orgin’s return. “When the players buy in, the clubs buy in, and then the fans buy in. We’re really looking forward to it.” His passion for the project was clearly infectious, with WA coach Dean Cox saying the Blues midfielder was the first name on his Origin team whiteboard. “He is passionate, tough, and people want to follow him. That is why it was such an easy decision (to make him captain),” Cox told the West Australian last month. “As soon as I got the opportunity to take the reins, he was the first one who sprang to mind.” The 30-year-old has flirted with a return to WA on multiple occasions throughout his career, particularly after a difficult COVID campaign, which saw both Fremantle and West Coast chase hard for his signature. While there is still a slim possibility of him finishing his career in the west, the return of Origin means the superstar can finally scratch his WA itch, regardless of what his future holds. “It was special once it got announced that the game was going ahead. It was just feeling that pride in getting to represent your state,” he said. “To have our friends and family, I know the WA crowd will get right behind us nice and loud, and it’s a sellout, which is even better.”