Patrick Dangerfield has finally got his premiership.
After 15 seasons, two clubs, 303 games, a Brownlow Medal, eight All-Australian blazers, four best and fairests and more, Dangerfield set the tone early to surge Geelong to a dominant 81-point victory over Sydney on Saturday.
It was just one win, but it will be a legacy-defining one for Dangerfield, who now rightfully sits amongst the greatest to ever play the game.
Speaking on SEN’s Whateley ahead of Geelong’s Mad Monday, Dangerfield was asked what the best part of the win is.
“Probably just (the knowledge) that the job is done, it’s complete, versus every other season where it’s close but no cigar,” he responded.
“That feeling of total satisfaction that everything we set out to achieve we have been able to do. It’s been so close for so many years, to finally come up triumphant, it’s hard to describe.”
Saturday’s game was Dangerfield’s second Grand Final. In 2020, the Cats would falter after half-time as Richmond emerged triumphant, and the 32-year-old would play one of his worst games for the year to finish with 12 disposals.
With the Cats’ seemingly on the edge of a cliff with their age profile, it was speculated that Dangerfield might not have another chance.
But a notable reset from Chris Scott and the club’s hierarchy last off-season had the Cats well placed, and a brilliant end to the season saw Geelong win its last 16 games of 2022.
“Yeah it is (as good as I thought it would be) and more. It always felt like over the last six or eight weeks that we were continually building and getting better and better, it was a really tight game against Collingwood and you have to have those sometimes,” Dangerfield stated.
“I felt like we’d almost perfected what we'd been setting out to achieve this year and it was such a well-rounded game, just so proud of our guys to execute on the biggest stage.
“The town is so proud of everyone involved, those are the special parts.”
Undoubtedly one of the most satisfying parts for the dynamic midfielder was the impact he had on the game. Dangerfield set the tone from the opening bounce and had the speed and power that few in the game possess.
He enjoyed three clearances and five contested possessions in the first term and finished the game with 27 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and 468 metres gained and second in Norm Smith Medal voting.
“I would have been totally stoked to have one possession and win, but it is wonderful to contribute,” he said on his big game performance.
“To be honest, that’s the whole team. That’s been the mantra this year, for everyone to have their moments throughout the game, it’s just such a well-rounded performance because it was so even from so many, that’s been the hallmark of our game this year and it’s just been so wonderful to be able to execute that in the big moments.”
One of the final things Dangerfield is yet to do is become a full-time captain. With Joel Selwood's future up in the air, Gerard Whateley believes Dangerfield could be the next skipper of Geelong in the short-term.