Patrick Dangerfield’s future an ‘annoying’ distraction admits Adelaide CEO Andrew Fagan
SPECULATION around Patrick Dangerfield’s future is “annoying and frustrating’’ admits Adelaide Crows CEO Andrew Fagan.
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ADELAIDE has conceded constant speculation about Patrick Dangerfield’s future is “annoying and frustrating’’ but that it will have to deal with the distraction until the midfield gamebreaker decides his future.
New chief executive Andrew Fagan said that in a “perfect world’’ the Crows would have Dangerfield signed and sealed by the start of the 2015 season.
“That would be to avoid any distraction,’’ Fagan said after Geelong and Richmond this week admitted their interest in the 131-game star.
“If we could make a pact that this question (on Dangerfield’s future) would not have to be asked again then I’m sure it would be a healthier position for our footy club.
“It is a distraction, the questions are annoying and frustrating, but I get it because he’s a high-profile person and people will ask.
“In a perfect world this would be resolved before the season starts but if that’s not the case then we will manage it throughout the course of the season,
“He (Dangerfield) is a professional, we’ve got a professional setup and we will ensure that the guys are focused.’’
Geelong — the AFL club closest to Dangerfield’s Victorian home town of Moggs Creek — is understood to be preparing a treasure chest to lure the 24-year-old back across the border when he falls out of contract at the end of next season.
Fagan yesterday remained coy on the futures of Dangerfield and his midfield sidekick Rory Sloane, who is understood to be close to re-signing, saying “we won’t comment on individual contract discussions’’.
“We are working through them, we haven’t hit 2015 yet and there is plenty of time,’’ Fagan told an SA Press Club luncheon.
“Patrick Dangerfield is one player in our footy club and we get lots of offers for lots of our players.
“We just have to back ourselves in to provide them with an environment which makes our players want to stay, makes them think that they are going to continue to develop as an individual and footy players, and be in an environment which is going to be successful.
“We are trying to do that not just with him, not just with Rory Sloane, but with all the players right across our list.
“What I will say is that he (Dangerfield) loves the footy club, of that I’ve got no doubt.’’
Adelaide rejected Melbourne’s offer of picks two and three at this year’s national draft for Dangerfield, backing itself to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
Dangerfield wants to be at a successful club and Fagan believes the Crows are on the improve under new coach Phil Walsh.
“We expect to improve, we should go better than that (last season’s 10th placing), we’ve got a healthy list, and I believe the football program is starting to smell elite,’’ Fagan said.
“It will take us a while to get to the point where we are really happy with it, it might take a season or two, but I think we will be better and we expect to be playing finals footy in 2015.’
Originally published as Patrick Dangerfield’s future an ‘annoying’ distraction admits Adelaide CEO Andrew Fagan
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