Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says Patrick Cripps "looks a new player" after the Blues co-captain was hampered by injuries throughout the 2020 season.
After two consecutive All-Australian years in 2018 and 2019, Cripps laboured through the most disappointing season of his career, finishing ninth in the club best and fairest.
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However, according to Lloyd, Cripps looks in career-best shape and is primed to lead Carlton back to the finals after an eight-year absence.
"It's the best I've seen him move in about 12-18 months," Lloyd told Wide World of Sports.
"He was ninth in Carlton's best and fairest last year, so it just shows how much he struggled with his body.
"A lot of players want to lose weight, Patrick Cripps has set upon putting on a couple of kilos to go about not being beaten around like he has been by taggers and other midfielders.
"Wait until Carlton fans see him moving in Round 1 because he looks a new player."
Part of the optimism surrounding Carlton's prospects this season are centred around the acquisitions of Zac Williams and Adam Saad, and Lloyd backed Williams to make Cripps' life easier.
"He's a clearance machine, he's tough as nails and the perfect support act for Patrick Cripps," he said.
"With Williams in the team, he's been going to full forward and been doing some good things, so that's what Williams does for Patrick Cripps this year."
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