Patrick Cripps steps up in win but three goals from Eagles pair Jamie Cripps and Liam Ryan wasn’t enough

Blues captain and former Northampton Ram Patrick Cripps put the team on his back in the fourth quarter to help lift Carlton over Port Adelaide by 36 points. The skipper has been in hot form during 2024 but was kept quiet early in the game, with just 13 disposals through three quarters. With the Blues down by seven points to start the fourth, Cripps helped turn the game on its head, scoring back-to-back goals as the game quickly turned in Carlton’s favour. The side’s efficiency out of the middle of the ground helped shift momentum as they quickly built up a lead over Port. Carlton came away from Adelaide with a much needed 16.11 (107) to 10.11 (71) win, as Cripps finished with 22 disposals, three clearances, five tackles and the two majors. Chapman Valley’s Jack Carroll was subbed on for Orazio Fantasia in the fourth quarter, making two tackles during his limited playing time. Sunday saw Dongara born Jaeger O’Meara continue to improve throughout the season as he played one of his best games this year in Fremantle’s thrashing of Melbourne. The Dockers were too good as they stunned the premiership hopefuls 22.9 (141) to 7.7 (49), putting Fremantle inside the eight and knocking Melbourne out. O’Meara was everywhere early in the game as he finished with a season high 26 disposals, five tackles and nine marks at Alice Springs. While Rovers export Judd McVee was on the short end of the 92-point blowout as the Demons’ backline had little answers for what Fremantle was showing them. McVee finished with 18 disposals, seven marks and one tackle during the loss. Mid West teammates Jamie Cripps and Liam Ryan both stepped up for their best games of the season against St Kilda on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles went down by 14 points at home. The second quarter was closed out by Cripps scoring consecutive goals up forward, followed by Ryan as the Eagles took a 14-point lead heading into half-time. The former Rover in Ryan hit the scoreboard again late with two goals in under two-minutes to close out the third quarter. Despite the three goal efforts from both Ryan and Cripps, it wasn’t enough as West Coast fell at home. Ryan finished the day kicking 3.2 with 11 disposals, four marks, a tackle and two goal assists. While Jamie Cripps kicked three goals and had 14 disposals, two marks and three tackles.