Former Cat Dwayne Russell wants Patrick Dangerfield to be Geelong’s next skipper, even if it’s just a short-term decision.
The Cats have a wealth of options to replace Joel Selwood, who left Geelong as the longest-serving captain the AFL has ever seen.
Dangerfield and fellow 2022 vice-captain Tom Stewart are right in the mix, as are Mark Blicavs, Mitch Duncan and multiple others.
But despite Dangerfield nearing the end of his playing days at 32 years of age and making just 15 regular season appearances in 2022, the Brownlow Medallist is Russell’s tip to succeed Selwood.
“I would put Patrick Dangerfield in for two years, that’s what I’d do. I think he doesn’t mind facing the media,” the award-winning commentator said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“If Tom Stewart wants it, then absolutely give it to him but I'm still of the belief that a midfielder is a better guy to have the captaincy than a key defender, I’ve always thought that.
“So that brings Mitch Duncan into play as well, so I’d be more inclined to give it to Dangerfield, even just for one year.
“I don’t mind if it's not a long-term captain. He’s the next guy in the link and it’s not going to affect anyone else in terms of their own preparation.
“I think it’s going to be good if Dangerfield gets it.”
Dangerfield has never held a full-time captaincy role at the top level but is the president of the AFL Players’ Association. A well-spoken individual in the media, Dangerfield was also tipped for the captaincy at Adelaide before moving to Geelong at the end of 2015.
“When I was coaching the Crows I thought he would be the future captain of Adelaide, I thought he and Rory Sloane, when I was there, showed exceptional leadership for young men in their early 20s,” former Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson told SEN last week.
“He’s certainly been there long enough now to know everything about the club and the way it operates. A Brownlow Medallist at Geelong, he’d be a fantastic choice as well.
“But I think personally, and I know Danger pretty well, I think he’s better when he focuses on his own game and just does what he needs to do… but like I said, he showed exceptional leadership qualities for a player in his young 20s when I coached him at the Crows.”
Dangerfield was managed at times in 2022 but peaked at the right time, arguably unlucky not to take home the Norm Smith Medal in his second Grand Final appearance.
Meanwhile, 7 News’ Mitch Cleary believes Stewart shapes as the favourite to take the coveted position.
Stewart, a four-time All-Australian, is among Geelong’s most important structural players and Cleary believes he’s been shaping as the club’s next captain for the past year.
“I’d have Tom Stewart as the favourite there, but it has been a bit of a push for Mark Blicavs,” Cleary told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“But Paddy Dangerfield… in terms of the off-field and commercial aspects, there’s so much more than just an on-field captain that goes into it, I think he has to be a consideration as well, I think they’d be the podium right now.
“But Tom Stewart has been the heir-apparent for Joel Selwood for probably the best part of 12 months now, but it wouldn’t shock me for Paddy Dangerfield.”
Despite the temptation to remain on at Geelong, Selwood has shacked up with the Melbourne Storm as a leadership coach for 2023.