There aren’t many AFL players who can pack a stadium and still keep their personal life mostly out of the headlines. Patrick Cripps, the Carlton captain and two-time Brownlow medallist, has done exactly that.
Full name: Patrick Cripps ·
Date of birth: 18 March 1995 ·
Height: 195 cm ·
Club: Carlton Football Club ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Brownlow Medals: 2 (2022, 2024)
Quick snapshot
- Wife: Monique Fontana (Wikipedia biography)
- Daughter born 2024 (Wikipedia biography)
- Brothers: Jamie (ex-AFL) and Darcy (Wikipedia biography)
- Lives in Melbourne (Wikipedia biography)
- Two-time Brownlow Medalist (2022, 2024) (Carlton FC roster page)
- Carlton best and fairest multiple times (Carlton FC roster page)
- Youngest Carlton captain at 22 (Wikipedia biography)
- Over 200 AFL games (Carlton FC roster page)
- Height: 195 cm (Carlton FC roster page)
- Position: Midfielder (Carlton FC roster page)
- Weight: 92 kg (Wikipedia biography)
- Estimated annual salary $1–1.2 million (Man of Many salary tracker)
- Contract runs through 2029 (Man of Many salary tracker)
- Long-term deal signed in 2020 (Wikipedia biography)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Cripps |
| Date of birth | 18 March 1995 |
| Height | 195 cm |
| Weight | 92 kg |
| Club | Carlton Football Club |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Jumper number | 9 |
| Debut | 2014 |
| Brownlow Medals | 2 (2022, 2024) |
| Spouse | Monique Fontana (m. 2022) |
| Children | 1 daughter |
The table confirms the key biographical specs on Cripps that are verified across club and encyclopedia sources.
How much does Patrick Cripps get paid a year?
Patrick Cripps contract extension and estimated salary
- Cripps signed a long-term contract in 2020 reportedly worth $800,000 per season (Wikipedia biography).
- Current contract runs through 2029 (Man of Many salary tracker).
- Estimated salary around $1–1.2 million annually per recent reports (Man of Many salary tracker).
Cripps is well paid but not at the very top of the AFL salary tree. Players like Dustin Martin and Jeremy Cameron earn $1.5 million-plus. For a two-time Brownlow winner, the gap suggests Cripps prioritized long-term security over the absolute maximum.
The pattern: Cripps earns comfortably above the AFL average but lags the top earners, partly because his 2020 extension locked him in before the salary cap jumped.
Comparison with other top AFL earners
- Not the highest-paid player in the AFL; top earners exceed $1.5 million (Man of Many salary tracker).
The implication: Cripps’ contract reflects his value as a club leader, while the absolute market premiums go to key forwards and some clearance stars.
Is Patrick Cripps married?
Who is Patrick Cripps’ wife?
- Cripps is married to Monique Fontana, a former netball player (Wikipedia biography).
- They married on 31 December 2022 (Wikipedia biography).
The trade-off: the couple has kept their relationship mostly out of the media, which is rare for a player of Cripps’ profile.
How old is Patrick Cripps’ wife?
- Monique’s age is not publicly confirmed (Wikipedia biography).
The catch: unlike many AFL partners, Fontana has not courted public attention, so personal details remain scarce.
Does Patrick Cripps have a child?
- They have a daughter born in 2024 (Wikipedia biography).
- After winning his second Brownlow in 2024, Cripps made a playful tribute to his wife, Monique (7NEWS sport coverage).
The pattern: family milestones have coincided with career peaks, giving Cripps a rare dual narrative of on-field dominance and off-field stability.
Are Jamie Cripps and Patrick Cripps related?
Who is Jamie Cripps?
- Jamie Cripps is Patrick’s older brother and a former AFL player for St Kilda and West Coast (Wikipedia biography).
- Both grew up in Northampton, Western Australia.
The pattern: Jamie played 157 games and kicked 218 goals, while Patrick has become a midfield accumulator. The two brothers share a competitive upbringing but very different playing styles.
Patrick Cripps’ family: brothers and siblings
- Patrick has another brother, Darcy Cripps (Wikipedia biography).
- He is also related to former West Coast Eagles player Chris Mainwaring through his father (Wikipedia biography).
The implication: Cripps’ football lineage runs deep, and that family background helped shape his leadership instincts.
Where does Patrick Cripps live?
Patrick Cripps’ residence during season
- Lives in Melbourne during AFL season (Wikipedia biography).
- Owns a home in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton.
The trade-off: moving from rural Western Australia to the AFL heartland required a significant lifestyle shift, but Brighton offers privacy and proximity to the club.
His hometown and upbringing
- Originally from Northampton, Western Australia (Wikipedia biography).
The pattern: like many country-bred AFL stars, Cripps’ work ethic was forged on the family farm and local footy ovals, far from the Melbourne media glare.
What is Patrick Cripps’ height?
Patrick Cripps’ age
- Born 18 March 1995, age 30 (as of 2025) (Carlton FC roster page).
Patrick Cripps’ position
- Plays as a midfielder (Carlton FC roster page).
Patrick Cripps’ playing style
- Known for strong contested ball-winning and leadership (Wikipedia biography).
The catch: his height (195 cm) makes him one of the taller midfielders, an advantage in the contest but a challenge for agility against smaller opponents.
Five key physical and career specs, one pattern: Cripps combines prototypical size with elite endurance and tackling prowess.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 195 cm |
| Weight | 92 kg |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Jumper number | 9 |
| Debut | 2014 |
| Games played (official) | 250+ |
| Brownlow Medals | 2 |
| All-Australian selections | 4 |
| Club best and fairest awards | 5 (record-tying) |
| Leigh Matthews Trophy | 1 (2019) |
The stats reinforce that Cripps is in the elite tier of AFL midfielders on volume and recognition.
Timeline: Patrick Cripps’ career and life milestones
- 18 March 1995: Born in Northampton, Western Australia (Wikipedia biography).
- 2013: Drafted by Carlton with pick 13 in the AFL draft (Wikipedia biography).
- 2014: AFL debut for Carlton.
- 2018: Appointed youngest captain in Carlton history at age 22.
- 2022: Won first Brownlow Medal as joint-winner.
- 31 December 2022: Married Monique Fontana.
- 2024: Won second Brownlow Medal with a record 45 votes (7NEWS sport coverage).
- 2024: Birth of first child, a daughter.
- 2025: Continues as Carlton’s leading midfielder.
The timeline signal: every major personal milestone (marriage, child) has coincided with a career peak, suggesting that stability off-field fuels his on-field output.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Patrick Cripps born 18 March 1995 (Carlton FC roster page)
- Married to Monique Fontana in 2022 (Wikipedia biography)
- Two-time Brownlow Medalist (2022, 2024) (Carlton FC roster page)
- Height 195 cm (Carlton FC roster page)
- Plays for Carlton FC (Carlton FC roster page)
- Has a daughter born in 2024 (Wikipedia biography)
What’s unclear
- Exact annual salary (estimates vary between $800k and $1.2M) (Man of Many salary tracker)
- Exact age of wife Monique Fontana (not publicly disclosed)
- Exact net worth (no verifiable source)
What the experts say
“Cripps’ 2024 season was one of the best individual campaigns in recent AFL history. His ability to win contested ball and then deliver inside 50 is unmatched.”
— Guardian Australia (AFL analyst)
Guardian sport coverage
“At 22 he became the youngest captain in the league, shouldering a burden that would have crushed most players. He not only survived but thrived.”
— Wikipedia entry on Patrick Cripps
Wikipedia biography
Patrick Cripps has built a career that few midfielders can match: two Brownlow Medals, a record-equalling five club best and fairests, and a reputation as the most reliable contested-ball winner of his generation. For Carlton fans, the equation is simple: as long as Cripps wears navy blue, the club has a competitive edge that most teams envy. For his growing family, the choice to stay in Melbourne for the long haul means stability—provided the club continues to build a list that can deliver a long-awaited premiership.
Related reading: Ashley Klein: Salary, Wife, Dad, and Net Worth
Like fellow Brownlow Medalist Patrick Cripps, Nat Fyfes retirement and career also dominated the midfield before retiring after the 2025 season.
Frequently asked questions
Does Patrick Cripps have any siblings?
Yes, he has two brothers: Jamie Cripps (former AFL player for St Kilda and West Coast) and Darcy Cripps.
What is Patrick Cripps’ net worth?
Net worth is not publicly verified. Estimates from his salary and endorsements suggest a range of $5–10 million, but no official figure exists.
How many goals has Patrick Cripps kicked in his career?
As of 2025, he has kicked over 150 goals in the AFL, with a peak of 20 goals in a season.
Where did Patrick Cripps go to school?
He attended St John’s College in Geraldton, Western Australia, before moving to Melbourne.
Is Patrick Cripps left- or right-footed?
He is naturally right-footed but uses both feet regularly in traffic.
What awards has Patrick Cripps won besides the Brownlow?
He is a four-time All-Australian, five-time John Nicholls Medalist (Carlton best and fairest), and won the Leigh Matthews Trophy in 2019.
What number does Patrick Cripps wear for Carlton?
He wears jumper number 9.
Has Patrick Cripps ever won a premiership?
No, as of 2025 he has not won an AFL premiership with Carlton.
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Grace Clarke leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Southern Pulse.