Watching the 2022 grand last twice over summer season, there’s a good argument Patrick Dangerfield ought to’ve received the Norm Smith Medal.
Watching him play many occasions over the previous decade, there’s even a stronger argument that Dangerfield ought to be the subsequent captain of Geelong.
Joel Selwood’s alternative shall be named within the coming weeks, and though some gamers could have a say, and a few employees, it is going to be finally determined by coach Chris Scott, chief government Steve Hocking and head of soccer Simon Lloyd.
It’s a uncommon occasion for the Cats.
Every yr since 2012, Selwood was mechanically captain from the primary day he arrived again for pre-season. But with out him, the Cats have some considering to do.
Dangerfield is 32 – 33 in April – and, contact wooden, has set his thoughts on enjoying for a minimum of one other three years.
Captaincy is solely not about you being given the function, it’s about you incomes the function.
It’s about efficiency on the sector, and management and respect amongst teammates.
It’s about setting requirements behind closed doorways, which is at all times troublesome for outsiders to evaluate, and coping with corporates, the AFL and the neighborhood.
Dangerfield, from afar, ticks all containers.
On the sector, Dangerfield is an inspiring determine. He performs soccer in a coat of armour, such is his battlefield mentality, and though the physique has given him some points in recent times, this summer season he hasn’t missed a coaching session.
His off-field manner and involvement – he’s president of the Players Association – provides to his CV. He can lead from the entrance with a voice and conviction, which itself is a top quality not everyone seems to be introduced with.
He is primed for the captaincy, if not good for it.
All-Australian defender Tom Stewart and Mr Reliable Mark Blicavs are the opposite two main candidates. Certainly, the three of them have their quirks.
Stewart is a champion defender and Blicavs is a constant team-first participant, however let’s not beat across the bush: Dangerfield is likely one of the greats.
We like to think about captains with the ability to plonk the group on their backs – assume Voss, Hird, Carey and Hodge, and in recent times Cotchin and Gawn, and carrying it to victory. By inspiration or brute power. Dangerfield’s finished that for a decade with out the mantle.
Last yr, he was greatest on spherical within the preliminary last and, on this opinion, additionally within the grand last.
Not on the day, thoughts you. Only after watching the sport twice extra on replay had been Dangerfield’s acts extra drastically appreciated.
Isaac Smith was the gazelle on the skin and Dangerfield was the lion on the within.
It actually relies upon the way you choose influence. There’s a idea in GFs that an out of doors participant who racks up metres is simple on the attention, and extra so after they kick objectives, however as a result of it’s a slog within the midfield, the place our bodies pile on our bodies in pursuit of the ball, the firestarters might be undervalued.
In truth, it’s in all probability underplayed how robust Dangerfield is. He’s performed 300-plus video games, producing unimaginable consistency of toughness and dedication. Always, when he will get bashed he will get up, and he by no means whinges.
Cats nice Doug Wade didn’t miss Dangerfield’s efforts final September. “I really like Patrick Dangerfield, who to my thoughts was clearly greatest on floor within the 2022 grand last,’’ Wade informed colleague Jon Anderson on Sunday
Some Geelong officers agree. Although the best-and-fairest votes from every recreation are by no means made public by the Cats, it’s believed Smith and Dangerfield couldn’t be separated.
It may very well be the identical with the captaincy: Appoint co-captains.
But if it’s to be one man and also you imagine in natural-born leaders, then Dangerfield is the apparent choice.
Originally printed as Mark Robinson: Patrick Dangerfield ought to be Geelong’s subsequent captain
Source: www.news.com.au
