Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has lost approximately 4kg to avoid further back problems

Patrick Dangerfield has lost approximately 4kg in preparation for the 2019 season in an ominous sign he intends to take his game to a whole new level this season. He reveals why he’s done it and how he managed to drop the weight.

Patrick Dangerfield has dropped about 4kg over the pre-season. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has dropped 4kg this pre-season in a bid to avoid the back problems that plagued him last summer and to boost his running capabilities.

In an ominous sign for AFL rivals, the Brownlow Medallist told the Herald Sun he had trimmed down his powerful frame to ensure he can spend more valuable time on the track.

“I think that is probably on the back of having a bit of a back issue last year, which was unfortunate,’’ Dangerfield said.

FINALS EXIT: WHY DANGERFIELD WISHES HE COULD GO BACK IN TIME

NEW GAME: DANGERFIELD DEFENDS HIS ROLE IN AFLX

SEASON PREVIEW: IS IT NOW OR NEVER FOR GEELONG?

“It probably fluctuates this time of the year, but probably three-and-a-half, four kilos (I’ve dropped).

“A bad back is a terrible thing for anyone that has ever had one.

“The continuity I’ve been able to have compared to last season enables you to spend more time out on the track.”

Patrick Dangerfield has dropped about 4kg over the pre-season. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Dangerfield said he had shed the weight largely through portion control.

“I think my diet and most players’ diets are pretty good,’’ said Dangerfield, who is a co-founder of the Fit for Footy App.

“Everyone has the things they enjoy, I love a block of chocolate, not a piece, a block. But it’s portion control, that’s the challenge.’’

Dangerfield expected his role this season to be a mixture of forward and midfield.

SUPERCOACH: THE CHEAPIES TO MAKE OR BREAK YOUR SEASON

“We’ve got to make sure that we keep playing a variety of players through the midfield and through halfback and half-forward,’’ Dangerfield said.

“You can’t just draft kids at 18 and develop them for a few years and then just play them as forwards when they were up and coming midfielders as younger players. We’ve got to make sure we keep balanced minutes for our players in different positions.”

Dangerfield battled a back problem last year.

He said it was vital for any player to bank sessions before Christmas and prior to the season starting, because you “can’t catch up on a pre-season once it’s finished”.

“It’s crucial you build up that continuity and you really bulletproof yourself against the season,” he said.

“If you don’t have those kilometres in the legs, you find little niggles turn into greater sorenesses throughout the season.

“I feel you can cop the wear and tear if you have done it for the four or five months of the pre-season.

“It’s always easier to run with less weight around this time of the year, especially with the kilometres that we’re doing.’’

** Fit For Footy is a free app that provides footy skills, fitness programs, diet and recovery programs from the AFL and AFLW level personalised to your age, gender, level of footy and level of fitness. More information is available here.