Sore Carlton star Patrick Cripps wasn’t at his best in the Blues 26-point loss to Gold Coast, but coach Brendon Bolton has backed him to play against Port Adelaide.
The 22-year-old had a season-low 17 possessions in Saturday night’s loss at Etihad Stadium and coach Brendon Bolton admitted he had struggled to shake off some heavy bumps.
The Blues slipped to 1-3 with the loss and face a big test against the Power in Friday night football at Adelaide Oval.
“He toughed the game out and worked for us in and around congestion, but he’s a bit sore,” Bolton said.
“He got a couple of big hits around the upper body so he’s a bit sore but he fought on.
“He’s a soldier, you’ve got to respect him.
“I think he’ll play (against Port), he’s just sore. He’s a guy who plays contested possession footy so I’m pretty sure he’ll get up.”
Carlton held a five-point lead at halftime against the Suns only to be blown away by a seven-goals-to-one third term.
“There was a lot to like … just when we had momentum in the first half we probably didn’t capitalise as much as we should have done,” Bolton said.
“I thought they out-spread us there for a quarter and capitalised but our guys fought hard in the last.”