Patrick Dangerfield celebrated Brownlow Medal win ‘long, hard and late’

BROWNLOW Medallist Patrick Dangerfield has no doubt he can take his game to even greater heights after crusing to a record-breaking win on Monday night.

BROWNLOW medallist Patrick Dangerfield has no doubt he can take his game to even greater heights.

Dangerfield, 26, yesterday issued the warning for rivals’ just hours after his record-setting Brownlow blitz.

The Geelong superstar romped to victory on Monday night with 35 votes to break the all-time Brownlow record, previously held by Dane Swan (34).

“I’ve got no doubt I’ve got improvement in myself as I’m sure every other player does in the competition,” Dangerfield said.

“I think as soon as, you know, if you get to a stage as a player you don’t think you can improve at some capacity then it’s probably time to give it away.”

Patrick Dangerfield with his 2016 Brownlow Medal the morning after. Picture: Getty

Dangerfield polled in a record 15 games and his incredible season included nine best-on-grounds.

But the prolific ball winner said team success was far more important to him than stacking votes.

“I don’t think any player, I certainly don’t aim to win votes each and every week, I aim to play my role for the team (and) help us improve as a team,” Dangerfield said.

“It’s (Brownlow) not a massive focus at the start of the year, it’s more about how we can get ourselves in the best position to challenge for a premiership.”

HE’S THE BEST: DANGERFIELD CLAIMS 2016 BROWNLOW MEDAL

WINNER: DANGERFIELD’S HEARTFELT SPEECH

ANALYSIS: DANGER A WORTHY WINNER ON STRANGE NIGHT

IMPROVING: WHY DANGER IS UNFULFILLED DESPITE BROWNLOW WIN

MARTIN: DUSTY SHOWS FUTURE BROWNLOW POTENTIAL

TWEETS: DANE SWAN’S HILARIOUS BROWNLOW COMMENTARY

Dangerfield partied “long, hard and late” after his runaway Brownlow victory, but couldn’t hide the disappointment of Geelong’s preliminary final loss to Sydney.

“It’s still very raw and disappointing,” Dangerfield said.

“To have had the season we’ve had ... played our best footy against the best sides, but have just fallen short, it doesn’t get any harder than that, that’s for sure.

“While I’m very humble and honoured to win the award, I’m certainly very envious, as I know every player will be that’s not playing in this week’s grand final.”

The Cats will gather today in Geelong for their annual ‘Wacky Wednesday’ end-of-season drinks and dress-up party, with the futures of several veterans clouded.

“I think that’s one of the things that Geelong do better than anyone, so I’m a little bit nervous,” Dangerfield said.

“I think Jimmy Bartel’s apparently got something pretty good in store, so it’ll take a lot to beat him (today).”

Dangerfield ($5) is the TAB favourite to make it back-to-back Brownlows with Nat Fyfe ($9), Marcus Bontempelli ($11) and Dustin Martin ($11) his main rivals.

ON SELF IMRPOVEMENT

“I think as soon as, you know, to get to a stage as a player you don’t think you can improve at some capacity then it’s probably time to give it away. So I’ve got no doubt I’ve got improvement in myself as I’m sure every other player does in the competition.”

Patrick Dangerfield was a man in demand on Tuesday morning. Picture: Getty

JUMPING ON THE BULLDGOS BANDWAGON

“I do believe in the footy gods and I’ve just got a sneaking suspicion the Western Bulldogs might get up. It’s an interesting one. I think as players what we want is our own team to succeed but once that journey ends, which it has for us this season, you certainly look at the stories that have happened throughout the year. You know, there’s probably no better story at the moment than what they’ve been able to do throughout the season with the adversity that they’ve faced with the injuries they’ve had. So that being said, there’s no sentiment in footy and the Sydney Swans have had an outstanding year.”

ON HIS TRIBUTE TO COUCH AND WALSH

“Just understanding what the Brownlow means. As a player that just finished up on Friday night, the emotions are still there and still are of disappointment but it wasn’t until I sort of watched the tribute to Couchie, as everyone did, that you understand what the Brownlow means and certainly the impact that he’s had and had as a player but what it meant to him and what it meant to the people around him that makes it pretty special. And I certainly feel with what he’s done for me in my career but everyone in Adelaide and the clubs that he’s been at previously, it can’t be underestimated. He’s a wonderful man and he’s still very much sorely missed.”

Originally published as Patrick Dangerfield celebrated Brownlow Medal win ‘long, hard and late’