Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
West Coast premiership forward Jamie Cripps has brought the “fun ride” of his accomplished career to a close, with the 34-year-old announcing his immediate retirement.
Cripps hangs up the boots after being a stalwart and a club favourite across the past 13 years, with a tireless work rate in the front half of the ground and an ability to apply tackle pressure and hit the scoreboard.
The Northampton product played 277 games, including 16 at St Kilda to begin his career, and ranks among the top West Coast players across a range of statistical categories.
Cripps sits sixth on the Eagles’ all-time goalkicking list with 323 majors, is third for tackles with 1004, and is the club’s leader in goal assists with 188 since the stat was first recorded in 2003.
He was a part of the club’s 2018 premiership success, booting a crucial third-quarter goal and finishing the day with 16 touches and four tackles.
His departure leaves only Elliot Yeo, Liam Duggan and Tom Cole as players from that flag-winning side to remain at the Eagles.
“It’s been an awesome 14 years and a privilege to play for a great club like West Coast,” Cripps said.
“To play so long and play with some amazing players along the way as well, it’s just been such a fun ride.
“My family make me tick and they’re who I do it for, so to have their support over the years has been massive.
“Now I’m ready for my knee to start feeling better so I can run around with the kids and see what their journey might be, which I’m looking forward to.”
Cripps featured in five AFL games early this season before being dropped to the WAFL, where he suffered a knee injury that cruelled his hopes of a senior recall.
The forward had a knack for standing tall in some of West Coast’s biggest games across the past decade.
As well as the strong 2018 grand final performance, he booted two first-term goals in the preliminary final a week prior – to go with 24 disposals – to set up a big win over Melbourne.
The following season, he kicked 4.3 among 22 touches in an elimination final win over Essendon that would ultimately be the last finals victory of his career.
“My role was to work as hard as I could up the ground and back, put as much pressure on as I could in the forward line,” Cripps said.
“As much hard work as I could do for the team, that’s what I was there for, and every now and then would kick a couple of snags.
“The best part has been going into the club every day and doing it with 40 of your good mates, putting in the hard work, getting to the weekends and playing games.
“They were the highlights for me, and the obvious one is ’18.”
Eagles football manager Gavin Bell said Cripps left a legacy of “work ethic, selflessness and belonging”.
“Our club is stronger because of the way he went about it every single day,” Bell said.
“He gave everything to his craft, consistently putting the team first and challenging those around him to do the same.
“Off the field, he is humble and deeply respected. On game day, he competed with a fierce edge and total commitment to the role.
“We are incredibly grateful for what Jamie has given to this club and the example he has set for others to follow. He should be immensely proud of the career he’s built.”
