Photographer’s Archives Reveal Early AFL Journeys of Patrick Cripps and More

Barry Mitchell began his journey in sports photography in 2003, initially to assist in presenting the awards night for the Great Northern Football League (GNFL) in Western Australia. Little did he anticipate that his volunteer work would lead him to document the formative years of numerous Australian Football League (AFL) stars, including two-time Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Cripps.

Over the past two decades, Mitchell has amassed an impressive archive of over 200,000 photographs, capturing future AFL luminaries in their early days. Among them is Patrick Cripps, whom Mitchell has documented extensively during his time with the Northampton Rams in the GNFL. This team and its hometown of Northampton have gained a reputation as a veritable “footy factory,” producing a remarkable number of AFL talents.

In addition to Cripps, Northampton boasts an array of AFL players, including his cousin Jamie Cripps, Harry Taylor, Paul Haselby, Josh Kennedy, and several others. Reflecting on his extensive collection, Mitchell remarked, “Most of the local lads that are playing right now or recently retired like Josh Kennedy or Harry Taylor, [are from here].” He noted the significance of his work, saying, “It’s quite good to be able to look back and go, ‘Gosh, I’ve got a picture of that kid when he was a junior,’ and of course we’ve got Patrick Cripps now, which is fantastic.”

Mitchell recalls photographing a 12-year-old Cripps during a standout game against Railways in 2007. “He would have got three votes that day,” he reflected. “I actually do remember Patrick standing out. He had those red boots on … he certainly stood out back then.”

Cripps, like many regional students, moved to Perth for his high school education as a boarder. His continued success in the AFL, marked by a second Brownlow Medal win, elicits immense pride within his community. “I think the whole town, I mean the whole of the Midwest, would surely be feeling a little bit proud,” Mitchell said, highlighting the local sense of achievement.

Beyond recording sporting milestones, Mitchell believes in the broader emotional value of his work. “It’s funny how little things do, after all this time, give you a bit of a thrill and that’s certainly one of them,” he stated. His photographs often serve as cherished reminders for families, capturing moments in time that resonate well beyond the field.