Rather than trying to emulate his celebrated predecessor Joel Selwood, new Geelong AFL captain Patrick Dangerfield has been encouraged to embrace change.
Dangerfield assumes the captaincy of the club he supported as a boy boasting a glittering CV which includes a Brownlow Medal, a premiership, four club best and fairest awards, eight All-Australian guernseys and the presidency of the AFL Players Association.
He does so clear in the knowledge that the club doesn’t expect him to copy Selwood, or other great leaders of the past like Michael Voss, who made such an impression on current Cats coach Chris Scott during the Brisbane Lions’ triple premiership run in the early 2000s.
“It’s moving with the times as much as anything,” Scott said on Monday.
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“It’s a big mistake to look back and say ‘hey, Michael Voss was a great leader. What made him great? I’m going to try and copy that and see if I can be, at best, a B-grade copy’.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
“It’s a little bit the same with Joel. The worst thing that you can do when you’ve had a really great leader is just to try and imitate everything because you just won’t do it as well.
“The opportunity we’ve got is to look at where we are at the time and act in a way that represents who we are in this moment.”
In Dangerfield and vice-captain Tom Stewart – who cut their teeth respectively at local clubs Anglesea and South Barwon – the Cats now have two genuine home-grown products as their official on-field leaders.
“It’s probably a positive thing because we’re really strongly connected in that sense,” said Dangerfield.
“I still remember coming to games, standing on the Moorabool St side of the ground on a milk crate watching Peter Riccardi and now we’re playing with, and Chris is coaching, his son (first-year player Osca Riccardi).
“It’s pretty special in that sense.”
At 32, Dangerfield assumes the skipper’s armband at a much different stage in his career than Selwood, who was just 23 when he replaced Cameron Ling ahead of the 2012 campaign.
As such, it’s far more than a platitiude when he says he’ll be be taking it one year at a time.
“We’re not looking any further ahead than what we can achieve this year,” Dangerfield said. “It’s not about going back to back; it’s a completely different group to last season.
“It’s how we can prepare ourselves and give us the best shot of winning the 2023 premiership cup. I dare say this year from us you’ll hear less about back to back and more about what’s in front of us.”
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I love a list. Even if it's Victorians.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Do cats come from Moggy Creek?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Even before Port came in he use to tear a new one for whoever it was I was supporting at the time. Theres somebody else from about the same time that I just can't put a finger on at the moment but if it comes to me I'll share.lol.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
The Geelong player with the iron bar in his handbag. Not the prettiest but effective.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
No mention of Gary Hocking, I always use to hate but admire him in the day. Good old whiskers.lol.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
That was heartbreaking. He’d be close to my top 10, certainly higher than Billy Brownless. We’ve been spoilt us Cats fans. Some of the greatest players in the history of the game have donned the hoops.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Best of all time. Gary ablett snr gary ablett junior patrick dangerfield joel selwood poly farmer steve johnson jimi bartel paul couch alistair lord tom hawkins.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Great until he broke his leg. He was never the same. It took a long time to come right
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
One of our best CHF ever. I’ll always remember him for his overhead marking prowess.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
You missed Barry Stoneham
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Top 10 Geelong players in descending order: Gary Ablett Sr. . . . Daylight Polly Farmer Gary Ablett Jr. Joel Selwood Doug Wade Patrick Dangerfield Tom Hawkins Paul Couch Jimmy Bartel Billy Brownless....just kidding. :silly:
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Rowdy....
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Head wobble is not even noticeable. The strut!!!. Best player in history? Polly Farmer, Leyland Brothers, Gary Ablett Senior, Gary Ablett Junior, Paul Couch, Jimmy Bartell, he should be happy to even be in the pantheon.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
A new Australian Soap Opera drum roll…………Mogg’s Creek :stoked:
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Thanks Chanon you too! I'm voting for Harry Sheezel, seems like a nice lad.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
As much as Danger's head wobble gets on my nerves, respect to the man and to the cats. Thought they may of gone somebody that would be more long term but at the same time you can't argue it. Congrats to Danger again what a career he's had. Bet he'd love to add premiership captain next to his name as well. Where would Cats fans rate him as the best Geelong players in history, he'd have to be right up there now wouldn't he?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Paul you need to nickname one of your recruits Skippy be a great promotional tool for the kids that follow your club. All the best for 23’ & beyond :thumbup:
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
With the animal cunning of Skippy.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Clearly very sensitive.
Cat
Roar Guru
Not sensitive at all. We all just know how unrealistic and biased you are.