The flaw in Patrick Dangerfield's goalkicking routine that can be easily fixed
We have hit the business end of the season and for many teams, there is zero margin for error. So when the big moment comes, who are the players you do and don’t want stepping up in front of goal?
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Patrick Dangerfield's stunning inaccuracy in front of goal this year could be fixed by a simple technique change, according to footy’s leading goalkicking coach.
Dangerfield's single flaw has always been his kicking despite putting together another season worthy of a fourth top-three Brownlow finish.
But this year spending more time forward he has kicked 6.12 and had another four total misses, meaning he has kicked only six of his 22 shots at goal.
Goalkicking legend Jason Dunstall said on Friday he wouldn’t trust him from 40m out to win a game given his kicking routine at goal.
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Ex-Hawk Ben Dixon, credited with straightening up St Kilda’s players after two years of work, said Dangerfield had flaws in his routine.
He has hooked many of his set shots left, with Dixon believing the Tom Hawkins-Dangerfield combination up forward could be lethal if he can start nailing set shots.
“He is such a powerful individual. In fact he’s all power, but he isn’t generating enough speed in his run-up,” Dixon said of Dangerfield.
“To give you an analogy he’s 200m from the green and he needs to bust a four-iron but he’s trying to ease a three-iron. So he’s trying to ease it through and his left comes across his body and he pulls those shots left.
“If he had more speed his first action is his body leans over more, he decreases the size of the ball drop and he lessens the margin for error.
“I would say there is a bit of inconsistency in his approach and if you talk to guys like Jason Dunstall, him and Lockett were the greats and they never changed their routines in 20 years.
“It’s a super-easy fix. He is only taking six steps and they aren’t quick so start with a slow build and then build more pace and that would keep him straight.”
Hawkins’ Geelong teammates are taking up the slack, with Tom Hawkins having kicked 30.15 and an amazing run of 19.5 in the past five games.
Gryan Miers has kicked 11.1 for the season but also has five overall misses.
Across the competition the Bulldogs have been plagued by inaccurate stars, with Bailey Smith’s incredible season marred by 3.7 in front of goal and another total miss.
Tim English has kicked 3.10 for the year, and while Josh Bruce has 12.4 for the season he also has seven total misses.
Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage has 5.13 and four total misses – five goals from 22 shots.
And his teammate Dayne Zorko is similarly inaccurate, with 6.10 and seven total misses.
It is another reason the Lions are putting in a power of work on their goalkicking given those misses would prove crucial in a final.
GWS pair Jacob Hopper have struggled in front of goal with 1.5 for Hopper and 0.6 for Daniels as well as another total miss.
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Originally published as The flaw in Patrick Dangerfield's goalkicking routine that can be easily fixed