Carlton captain Patrick Cripps says he and the playing group enjoy the balanced approach David Teague has brought since taking the reins as caretaker coach.
Teague has been a breath of fresh air since replacing Brendon Bolton in the Blues hot seat, winning five of nine games in charge while staking his claim for the vacant full-time position.
“I think what the boys love and what I love about Teaguey is that he holds everyone to really high standards,” Cripps told SEN Breakfast.
“I think the biggest thing is the way he’s built relationships and he’s got that really good balance where he will start the meeting with a joke and everyone’s relaxed, and then once he flicks the switch, it’s time to tune in and focus.
“Guys are that tuned in to what he’s saying and that’s the same as training. You’ve got to have fun around the place, and he makes the place fun but when it’s time to work you work hard.
“He’s done a really good job so far.”
With Carlton in the process of selecting its next senior coach for 2020 and beyond, Cripps has backed the club’s hierarchy to make the appropriate choice.
“The guys making the decision are doing a really thorough process. I’m going to back them in to make the right decision,” the star Blue said.
“Although Teaguy is doing a bloody god job, I know they’ll pick the right coach for the gig. I trust the top dogs to make the right call.”
Teague will look to further strengthen his claims for the Blues top job with a win against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday.
Listen to Patrick Cripps’ chat on SEN Breakfast in the player below