Andrew McQualter says he never doubted West Coast milestone man Jamie Cripps would go on to a “great career” in the AFL after he blew teammates away in a time trial during his first pre-season.
In a bizarre twist, McQualter was Cripps’ player mentor at St Kilda in 2011 and will be at the helm this Sunday at Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide when the understated forward reaches 250 games in blue and gold.
McQualter and premiership teammate Luke Shuey spoke about Cripps’ stellar career to the Eagles playing group on Thursday morning before training.
“He was such a hard worker. I told the story this morning, we did a time trial and he won in it in his first year as an 18-year-old kid,” McQualter said.
“He ran the fastest time anyone had for years there. He had the makings of being what he is now.”
Cripps joins elite company as just the 12th West Coast player to reach 250 games, while his 311 goals places him sixth all-time for the club.
Never one to seek the spotlight, the 33-year-old has long been underrated externally but his unmatched workrate, humility and team-first attitude have made Cripps a much-loved Eagle.
“I always rated him, but maybe I had a different relationship with him. He’s always a really difficult match-up,” McQualter said.
“Anytime he has played – (in) over 250 games for the Eagles and a few more for the Saints - he challenged opposition the way he runs and the way he works. His finishing skills are elite as well, so he’s had a great career.
“He’s been a great competitor for this football club, he’s got everything out of himself ‘Crippa’.
“He’s just a hard worker, good person and we can’t wait to celebrate him this weekend.”
Cripps is one of only five 2018 premiership players remaining in West Coast’s squad, alongside Liam Duggan, Liam Ryan, Tom Cole and Elliot Yeo.
Cole is a chance to play in the milestone game with Duggan and Ryan after a strong WAFL comeback, but Yeo remains sidelined.
The dual Club Champion hasn’t played this season due to injury and has hit another hurdle with his comeback from ankle surgery.
“He just hasn’t progressed as well as we’d hoped when integrating back into training, so we’re just going to do a bit more research and we’ll know a bit more within the next week or so,” McQualter said.
“It’s a bit of a shame for him. It’s been a really challenging period – and for us as well, he’s an important player to our team.
“We’re running out of weeks (for him to play this season), there’s no question about that, but still think it’s really important that we still set him up for success, whether he plays this year or not.
“We’ll keep pushing his rehab to get him back and available.”
McQualter praised West Coast’s medical team for only having three players – albeit important stars Jake Waterman, Oscar Allen and Yeo – on the injury list, leading to a selection squeeze.
Matt Owies (four goals), Noah Long (three), Campbell Chesser (24 disposals), Tom Gross (30), Rhett Bazzo and Cole are among the Eagles pushing strongly for AFL returns after the WAFL Eagles’ win over Subiaco.
“We’re fortunate we’ve got a bit of a selection squeeze. When you’re healthy that’s what happens,” McQualter said.
“There’s some guys that played in that game in the WAFL who played really well, and as I’ve said all year we’ll look to reward people in form and pick the best team we can.”
Chesser has not been sighted at the top level this season after ankle surgery but has now strung together five WAFL matches.
“I think 'Chess' played his best game for the year,” McQualter said.
“He didn’t play for the first half of the year. He’s building as he’s coming back and it’s great to see him get into some form.
“We’ll reward him when he’s earnt that. We think he’s a really good player, he’s got great upside, he just needs a good run at it.”
