Carlton young gun Patrick Cripps has become the quickest player to reach 200 clearances since the stat was recorded in 1998.

The 21-year-old reached the 200-mark with his fifth clearance against North Melbourne on Saturday night, taking just 31 games to do so.

Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell (36 games) was the previous record holder, ahead of Western Bulldogs youngster Tom Liberatore (37). From a Carlton perspective, former Blue Adam Bentick (58) ranks second behind Cripps, while captain Marc Murphy (third) took 66 games to reach the 200-mark.

Despite receiving more attention from opposition midfielders in 2016, the 195cm midfielder is ranked first in the league for clearances per game this season with 8.62, more than one ahead of second-placed Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy (7.50).

Cripps has also led all players on the ground for contested possessions in every game he’s played this season.



Patrick Cripps notched up his 200th clearance in the Blues' loss to North Melbourne. (Photo: AFL Media)