Big-bodied Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps ready to take place in Blues engine room Patrick Cripps (centre) hasn't found mixing it with older teammates too daunting. PATRICK Cripps is on a fast track into the Carlton midfield. Physically, the strong-bodied clearance machine is already feeling a level of comfort locking horns with his Blues' teammates this pre-season. Instead of spending hours in the gym like many other young draftees, Cripps helped steel his body for the AFL by hauling sheep and filling grain bins on the family farm in rural Western Australia. When the Blues recruiters arrived to talk to him in Northampton, only days before last year's draft, the 18-year-old was out harvesting the family wheat crop. "I actually blew a tyre while my old man was having a chat with them, so he wasn't too happy," Cripps said. Taken at pick No. 13, Cripps arrived at Visy Park at 194cm and 91kg, putting his frame already on a par with big-bodied Fremantle jet David Mundy. While the hard ball winner admits he has a lot to learn, he is already enjoying the physical contact in the cut and thrust of the Blues' engine room, up against stars such as Chris Judd and Marc Murphy. "I'm not the quickest bloke, so I have got to utilise my strengths," Cripps said at the AFL Players' Association induction camp. So I like to get in and under and get the ball to the outside players and that's what I sort of focus my game on. Physically I feel comfortable (against them), but their knowledge of the game is a lot more advanced than mine. Also the way the side plays is something I'm learning. That something I'm constantly developing. Cripps in action at last year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. In a season where Carlton will push aggressively for a top-four berth, Cripps could provide its ageing centre line with an injection of youth. The Blues' midfield could take a new-look this year after recruiting Collingwood superstar Dale Thomas, ex-Lion half back Sam Docherty and former Swan and Bulldogs' utility Andrejs Everitt to help bolster the third oldest squad in the AFL. Cripps won the third most clearances at the under-18 national championship last year and is in line to make early senior appearances in the NAB Challenge series. Cripps said coach Michael Malthouse was encouraging the Blues' youngsters to set ambitious goals this season. "He (Malthouse) has said to the younger boys aim really high because you don't get anywhere without failing, so don't be afraid to fail," he said. Obviously a lot of people find him pretty intimidating but I have found him very helpful. Whether it's kicking or game play, he helps you out as much as possible to get the best out of you.