Brownlow Medal in pictures: Carlton gun Patrick Cripps takes out 'Charlie' in heart-stopping count
Cripps' 'crazy' driving story puts room in stitches
Patrick Cripps had the audience in stitches when he told a childhood story about how he "drove the car through the garage" at five years old.
"Your mum said you were riding a motorbike at three, driving a car illegally at five and whatever you were doing there was a football somewhere," host Hamish McLachlan said on the Seven coverage.
Cripps addressed those in attendance from the lectern, recounting a tantrum he threw at both parents after a mishap on the family farm.
"I was with the old man, he was seeding the grain and I put my hand near the auger, which any farmer would tell you is not the smartest thing to do. So he gave me a clip around the ears," Cripps said.
"I went home and I said, 'Look, I'm getting out of here'.
"The Land Cruiser was a manual, started it up, through the garage, there we go.
"Probably wasn't the smartest moment of my life, but it's crazy to look back at."
Top Blue Cripps clinches 'Charlie'
Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps claimed the 2022 Brownlow Medal in a heart-stopping count, polling three votes in the final round to steal the lead from Brisbane's Lachie Neale.
Cripps topped the count with 29 votes, edging Neale (28) and Gold Coast's Touk Miller (27).
The Blues skipper was especially hot in the early rounds of the season, carving out six 30-plus disposal performances in his first seven games.
He averaged 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions and five clearances per match in 2022, and kicked a career-high 20 goals.
The gun on-baller from Perth had seven best-on-ground performances, including five from the first eight rounds, and polled in 13 of the 22 games he played.
Cripps embraces his parents
Patrick Cripps pictured embracing his parents, Brad and Cath.
Cripps marvels at gleaming Brownlow Medal
Patrick Cripps became Carlton's sixth Brownlow Medallist in history, joining Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994) and Chris Judd (2010).
The 27-year-old also joined Carlton coach Michael Voss, who shared the 1996 Brownlow Medal honours with Essendon legend James Hird.
Wines, Cripps say 'cheers'
Patrick Cripps was presented his Brownlow Medal by 2021 winner Ollie Wines of Port Adelaide.
Cripps, Carlton icon embrace in special moment
Patrick Cripps and Carlton Football Club legend John Nicholls embraced as Cripps made his way to the stage to accept the Brownlow Medal.
Nicholls represented Carlton from 1957 to 1964 in the Victorian Football League, becoming the first 'Bluebagger' to play 300 games.
Young Carlton jet all smiles for Cripps
Sam Walsh was rapt for Patrick Cripps.
The two Blues have headed up Carlton's midfield since Walsh arrived on the scene in 2019.
Walsh was Carlton's second-highest vote-getter in this year's Brownlow Medal count, tallying 14.
Cripps' beautiful shout-out to partner Monique
Patrick Cripps celebrates his announcement as the winner of the 2022 Brownlow Medal with his partner Monique Fontana.
In his acceptance speech, Cripps credited his fiancée for being the "backbone" of his success.
Monique was ecstatic as Cripps was revealed as the Brownlow Medal winner and made his way to the stage, cherishing one of the most special moments of her partner's life yet.
Cripps' monstrous end to season
Carlton hearts were shattered as the Magpies edged the Blues by one point in round 23 to destroy their finals dream, but Cripps registered 35 touches (27 contested) in a monstrous end to the season.
Cripps sat in third on the cusp of the final round, behind Brisbane's Lachie Neale and Gold Coast's Touk Miller, before his maximum finish captured victory.
Cripps having a ball
Patrick Cripps lapping up the fun of the night.
