PATRICK Dangerfield says a premiership medal would be the “finishing piece” in his glittering career.
However, the Geelong midfielder won’t judge his career by whether or not he tastes flag success.
The 32-year-old will become the 99th player in VFL/AFL history to play 300 games when the minor premier Cats host West Coast to round out their home-and-away campaign.
“I don’t think it necessarily defines players,” Dangerfield said when asked about adding a premiership medal to his accolades.
“It’s what we all play for, but there’s so much of our game I think you take enjoyment from, not just the final game in September.
“Now, clearly, that would be a wonderful thing to achieve, and we’ve given ourselves a shot this year; we’re in a good position.
“But, there’s so much enjoyment external to just that that I’ve got out of being involved in AFL footy.”
Drafted by Adelaide with pick no.10 in the 2007 National Draft from the Geelong Falcons after starting his footy with Anglesea, Dangerfield played 154 games for the Crows.
After being subject to much discussion about his football future throughout the 2015 season, he decided to return to the Surf Coast and link up with the Cats.
Dangerfield fitted right in at Kardinia Park, winning the Brownlow Medal and the Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong’s best-and-fairest in 2016.
He added further Carjis in 2017 and 2019 – one of only eight players to win the award at least three times.
“You know you’re in a good place when you love walking into the football club every single day,” he said.
“That it’s never a grind; that there’s fun to be had – train hard when we need to.
“But, it’s just a really enjoyable place to turn up and work every day. And I suspect that sentiment is echoed across our playing group.
“It’s been special.”
In a season dogged by calf problems, including being a late withdrawal from the win over St Kilda earlier this month, Dangerfield is confident his body is right to cope with the rigours of September.
“It’s probably the best I’ve felt this time of the season, to be honest,” he said.
“We’ve had a really strong year. But, for me, it’s been building and building over the last six weeks.
“The body’s feeling great, and I think that’s the case for a vast majority of our players.
“We’ve really stuck to our guns around not pushing players when it isn’t needed.”
Coach Chris Scott said Dangerfield’s arrival came at a critical time for the club.
“We were at a point of transition when Pat came in, and he changed our club for the better,” Scott said.
“Obviously on the field, but that wasn’t the most significant part, in my opinion.
“He changed us off the field, gave the playing group some confidence, and he’s really influenced the culture that we continue to try to build.
“We understand it’s evolving, and he’s just been integral to that.
“The privilege for us to have been part of that journey can’t be understated.”
Click below to listen to the media conference with Patrick Dangerfield and Chris Scott
Twitter: @tom_king79
