AFL pre-season news: Tom Stewart confident new captain Patrick Dangerfield can lead them to glory

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart hailed the leadership of new skipper Patrick Dangerfield, labelling him a “competitive beast” as the two try to lead the Cats to back-to-back flags.

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart declared the Cats would have no trouble maintaining the rage in their bid for back-to-back premierships as he hailed the leadership of new captain and “competitive beast” Patrick Dangerfield.

After the reigning premiers unveiled Dangerfield as the retired Joel Selwood’s successor as skipper, Stewart said the taste of ultimate success had become “addictive” for the Cats.

The star defender will again serve as vice-captain this year after he shared the role with Dangerfield under Selwood last season.

Stewart was confident the Cats had the right balance of experience and ambition coupled with a thirst for growth and development for their premiership defence.

“I think it’s pretty easy to maintain that (rage),” Stewart said.

“We have been through so many different experiences as a group, been so close and having tasted the ultimate success, it does become addictive.

Dangerfield takes over from long-serving captain Joel Selwood. Picture: David Caird

“We are very, very keen to do it again, but we understand how difficult it is. I think we have got that right balance of knowing exactly what we want and how to get it, but also having that thirst and that drive to continue to grow and to develop.

“(The practice match v Hawthorn) was a prime example of that. We had some new players come in that want to be the best that they can right now which drives us to be better again.

“Obviously not everything is going to be perfect, it’s not going to be the same as it was last year, but that’s part of the most enjoyable part is that you have to figure things out on the run and determine our future really.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any want from the group to try any harder or anything like that, we know what we want and we want to achieve and it’s going to take a hell of a lot of work but we’re really excited about what’s ahead.”

Dangerfield becomes the Cats’ first new captain in 12 seasons after succeeding the AFL’s longest-serving skipper.

The Geelong captaincy honour adds to an already brilliant career, which now includes a premiership alongside his Brownlow Medal, eight All-Australian blazers and four club best-and fairest awards.

Geelong’s new vice-captain says winning had become addictive for the Cats. Picture: Mark Stewart

Stewart said Selwood and Dangerfield were “both different characters” but hailed the impact both had on his leadership at the club.

“Joel was unbelievable for me in my journey and Pat has been brilliant as well,” Stewart said.

“Joel (is) obviously very to the point and very astute with the way that he goes about things and I think Pat’s leadership’s fantastic as well.

“He is absolutely a competitive beast and brutal on the field, but he has that caring nature and that humorous side as well, which is just as important. The joy that he brings to the game of football and the way that he goes about it is something that I truly respect.

“He finds such a great balance in … being a competitive beast and winning and wanting to be a great winner but also just having that joy off the field.

“That’s something I have really had to learn in my time. My competitiveness is something that I am really proud of but I can take it a bit too far sometimes and be a bit too serious.”

Stewart hailed Dangerfield’s ability to bring humour and enjoyment to the game. Photo by Phil Hillyard

A four-time All-Australian, who Dangerfield rated the “best defender in the comp”, Stewart did not expect his role under the new captain to change “too much”.

“My strength is going to be able to support Pat as well as I possibly can,” Stewart said.

“Being in this (leadership group) role the last five years has been something that I have really treasured and to continue to grow and develop in this capacity is something that I am really proud of.

“Obviously serving Joel in that role last year and now Pat, two icons of the game, and to be part of this formal two-man leadership group is really special but we understand it’s going to take a lot of us to take this group forward.”

DANGER’S ZONE: GEELONG REVEAL NEW SKIPPER FOR 2023

Chris Cavanagh

Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield will lead the Cats’ push for back-to-back premierships this year after being unveiled as the club’s new captain.

Dangerfield, 32, replaced the AFL’s longest-serving captain in the retired Joel Selwood after beating out Tom Stewart in the race for the position.

Stewart will serve as vice-captain under Dangerfield this year, after the pair were co-vice captains last season.

The Cats settled on their new leadership pairing after a process that included consultation with the playing group, football boss Simon Lloyd, senior coach Chris Scott and chief executive Steve Hocking.

The club has chosen not to name additional players as formal members of the leadership group.

“Pat and Tom are wonderful representatives of a group of players who know what it takes to unlock excellence at the highest level of our sport,” Scott said.

“The likes of Tom Hawkins, Cam Guthrie, Mitch Duncan, Mark Blicavs – these people are just the latest generation of players who model what we aspire to be as a club. Pat and Tom and the entire playing group know they have their support, and we all know how fortunate we are to have them at our club.”

Tom Stewart will serve as Dangerfield’s vice-captain. Picture: Mark Wilson

The captaincy title for Dangerfield adds to what is one of the most impressive resumes in recent football history.

He won a Brownlow Medal in 2016, has earned All-Australian honours on eight occasions and has won four club best-and-fairest awards since debuting for Adelaide in 2008.

Dangerfield played his 300th AFL game last season and also got his hands on a long-awaited premiership cup.

“I love walking into this football club every day,” Dangerfield said.

“We have fun and we work hard. Playing for the Cats has been everything I dreamt it would be since I was a little kid. To continue to represent Geelong, and the players, the club, and the community who make it great – many of whom I’ve aspired to be like my whole life – is an honour.”

Dangerfield is contracted until the end of 2024, but has expressed his desire to play for as long as his body allows.

The Cats are set to face off with Brisbane in their second pre-season match on Thursday, ahead of a Round 1 clash with Collingwood on March 17.

Originally published as AFL pre-season news: Tom Stewart confident new captain Patrick Dangerfield can lead them to glory