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 SENโs 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.
โThe main thing I said to the club when we first started chatting was I wanted to do what was best for the club,โ Cripps said.
โIn the position weโre in, we get looked after pretty well anyway, so we canโt complain with the money we get paid.
โAt the end of your career you want to win premierships and have team success, and thatโs what itโs all about.โ
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.
โI feel like we have a list with a lot of young talent, and theyโre only going to grow. As they grow theyโre going to demand more money,โ Cripps went on to say.
โAs captain, if I can set a precedent to the boys that โletโs stick together, letโs take a little bit less,โ hopefully that flows on to team success.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
โThatโs what itโs all about.โ
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.
