David King has identified a tactic that is “working perfectly” for Carlton and coach Michael Voss in 2022.
The Blues are placing much more emphasis on captain Patrick Cripps by giving him plenty of opportunity to win the ball in attack.
When Carlton have the ball in the back half of the ground, or there is a stoppage, Cripps gets out of the way and pushes forward so he can be used in more damaging positions.
King says the Blues have devised a plan which has the skipper avoiding contested situations between the arcs, and as a result has pushed him into the top echelon of players for disposals in the forward half of the ground.
It is clearly having a positive impact on their overall game as the Blues sit fourth on the ladder with a 7-2 record.
“He’s always been able to win footy. The game stops, Patty Cripps walks over to a stoppage, he’s a $1.10 to be involved somehow,” King said on SEN’s The Picks.
“He’s going to be the targeted, hit-to player or if it bobbles, his big frame is going to be a presence in there. That’s who he is, that’s what he does.
“Park that as an asset, which is a top 10 in the AFL asset.
“When the game leaves clearances, he is no good - I mean this in a really respectful way - in general play. The ball bouncing around between marks, when the ball is in motion, he’s just a passenger.
“Aside from the fact that he can go forward inside forward 50 and take a pack mark or a contested mark.
“Vossy said to him, ‘don’t bother getting involved in the battle between the arcs post clearance or post down the line contest’.
“It’s working perfectly. He’s gone from 34th in the competition for forward-half disposals to equal third in the competition behind (Christian) Petracca and Bailey Smith. They’re huge numbers.
“So they’re maximising assets. You won’t see Patty Cripps chasing an opponent down the ground. That’s a huge win.
“And what it did do last week, it took (Giants midfielder) Tom Green from the middle of the ground where he wants to play and be the big beast, to effectively centre half-back on regular occasions. He had his lowest rated game of the year and he had been in stellar form.
“This is the art of coaching. Maximising your power pieces on the chess board and Cripps is that. Great coaching.”
Cripps has also kicked 13 goals from eight games in 2022, equalling his season career best, and is seventh in the league for score involvements (67).
The Blues will be looking to use their Cripps tactic when they take on the fifth-placed Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.