Carlton CEO Cain Liddle believes it's only a matter of time before the Blues lock down the futures of star duo Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow.
Despite the Blues' 1-9 start to the season, the pair have excited fans in 2018, with Cripps especially taking his game to a new level.
The 23-year-old is averaging 28.5 disposals, 6.3 tackles, 8.2 clearances and 4.2 inside 50s, which are all career highs for the midfielder.
Cripps is currently second in the AFL Coaches' Association votes, and is second to Nat Fyfe in the AFL.com.au's Brownlow Medal predictor.
Both Cripps and Curnow are out of contract at the end of the 2019 season, although Liddle isn't worried about either player leaving the Blues.
“I have no reason to think that those extensions won’t be finalised in the near future,” Liddle told SEN Breakfast.
“As we are with all players who are coming out of contract, we are in discussions with both those players.”
Liddle hopes both Cripps and Curnow will be locked down for the foreseeable future, and wants list manager Stephen Silvagni to offer the duo long-term deals.
“I probably need to defer to SOS, he is the man that manages the contracts,” Liddle said.
“As I sit here right now, the way they’re playing, absolutely we would be looking at those sorts (five-years) of deals.
“You talk about our list and where the excitement and improvement is going to come from, if you’re a Carlton supporter or Carlton member and you’re watching those two run around, you have complete confidence in your future.”
