Mark Robinson: Why Geelong needs Patrick Dangerfield to put on the cape
A facet of Geelong’s game is proving to be an issue in recent weeks — and it pales in comparison to another top-four side, writes Mark Robinson.
Mark Robinson
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There’s a small watch on Geelong and a big watch on Patrick Dangerfield as big boys footy kicks in at Round 16.
The Cats won six successive matches before the shock heavy loss to Brisbane and have lost only two of the past 10 matches.
They are a very good side, but need to become a great side if they are to win the flag.
The small watch is their defence.
The big watch is Dangerfield.
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When Dangerfield returned from a syndesmosis tear in his right ankle, which sidelined him for eight weeks, it was said he would need a month to get his game together.
The month’s up.
It’s time for Dangerfield to put the cape on and restore his game to the status which he and the football world is accustomed to.
The team needs it.
Pride will demand it.
He has watched Marcus Bontempelli, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver and to a lesser extent Ollie Wines and Darcy Parish elevate their status in the competition and who knows how much that plays on the psyche of the sitting superstar.
Because, while he was injured, there was a sense of out of sight out of mind.
Now he’s back, the question hanging over him is: What ya got, champ?
That’s not a “champed” him. It’s about what this champion can deliver.
He’s played four and half games this season.
He played Round 1 and was reported and missed three weeks and he injured his ankle in Round 5 against North Melbourne.
His first game back was Round 13. He had 18 disposals in 73 per cent game time.
In Round 14, he had 26 disposals in 78 per cent game time.
In Round 15, it was 23 and one goal in 83 per cent game time.
His all-round game is building, but full ‘Danger mode’ is yet to be reached. His goalkicking continues to be an issue and the touch and explosion and the absolute dog-hungry contesting for the ball is not at full throttle. There’s hesitation.
In his favour is the fact he will approach finals fresh and not battle weary.
It would be foolish not to back him.
Geelong’s minor concern is their defensive game.
In the past three matches the Cats are ranked 16th for points against, 15th for points against from turnovers and 16th for points against at stoppages.
More the issue is, since Round 7, they are 17th for opposition scores inside 50 on percentage.
At the same time, they are ranked No.1 for conceding inside 50s.
What that means is they restrict the opposition from getting it in, but are struggling to stop the opposition from scoring once the ball is in there.
In comparison, ladder leading Melbourne has given up the eighth most inside 50s, but are ranked No.1 for scores conceded.
The Demons defend resolutely.
For example, last weekend the Bombers had 50 inside 50s and Melbourne allowed 57 points.
In Brisbane, the Lions had 55 inside 50s and the Cats allowed 94 points.
If the Cats can correct that two-month trend, their game is in pretty good shape.
One of their issues in the D50 is stopping the opposition key forwards, which was the domain of the now retired Harry Taylor.
Joe Daniher (four goals), Charlie Dixon (four goals), Taylor Walker (five goals) and Hayden McLean (four goals) have hit the scoreboard against them.
It will be interesting to see how the Lachie Henderson-Cale Hooker match-up plays out this week.
Moreso, how Dangerfield performs. The word from Geelong is buckle in.
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Originally published as Mark Robinson: Why Geelong needs Patrick Dangerfield to put on the cape
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