Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps has urged his younger teammates to choose success over money when their stars begin to rise.
The Blues skipper recently signed a monster 6-year deal on a reported $750,000 a year. And while that is a lot of money, it is seen as unders for one of the games best clearance players.
There had been speculation that the Western Australian may be tempted by free agency and a return home at the end of 2021 but he ended any speculation when signing the lengthy deal.
Speaking on SEN’s Gilly and Goss on Friday morning that he was always going to choose success over money and believes the Blues are the place for that success.
“The main thing I said to the club when we first started chatting was I wanted to do what was best for the club,” Cripps said.
“In the position we’re in, we get looked after pretty well anyway, so we can’t complain with the money we get paid.
“At the end of your career you want to win premierships and have team success, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The 26-year-old said that he hopes by taking less to stay a Blue, it will set the tone for others to follow when it's their time to commit.
“I feel like we have a list with a lot of young talent, and they’re only going to grow. As they grow they’re going to demand more money,” Cripps went on to say.
“As captain, if I can set a precedent to the boys that ‘let’s stick together, let’s take a little bit less,’ hopefully that flows on to team success.
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“That’s what it’s all about.”
The Blues recently re-signed Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay for another two seasons on a deal reportedly worth $800,000 a season.
The courageous skipper has yet to play in a final despite arriving at the Blues at the start of the 2014 season. Despite their 5-9 record, the Blues could be just one win outside the eight by the end of the weekend.
The Blues take on Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday night.
