Patrick Dangerfield pips outgoing teammate Tim Kelly to Geelong best-and-fairest award
Patrick Dangerfield has pipped outgoing midfielder Tim Kelly to win another Geelong best-and-fairest, telling Cats fans to ‘bury the disappointment’ of 2019 and focus on the positives.
Geelong
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Tim Kelly fell nine votes short of taking the Geelong best-and-fairest back to Western Australia as Patrick Dangerfield was crowned the Carji Greeves medallist for a third time last night.
Departing midfielder Kelly, who has requested a trade to West Coast after two seasons with the Cats, finished on 259.5 votes as Dangerfield polled 268 in the Geelong count.
Dangerfield became the eighth player to win three or more Geelong best-and-fairests, joining teammate Joel Selwood and Cats champions Paul Couch, Ian Nankervis and Garry Hocking.
The 29-year-old finished second to Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe in the Brownlow Medal, polling 27 votes to eclipse Kelly by three, and was awarded All-Australian honours for the seventh time.
He averaged 27 disposals, five marks and four tackles during another standout campaign which yielded 27 goals.
Patrick Dangerfield's last 5 seasons
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) October 3, 2019
2015 - B&F winner (ADEL)
2016 - B&F winner (GEEL)
2017 - B&F winner
2018 - B&F runner up (by 0.5 of a vote)
2019 - B&F winner
@GeelongCats @AFL
Fair recruit, he’s been. Stiffed in one of the Brownlows, too.
— Ben Broad (@Ben_Broad) October 3, 2019
Seems to draw ire of opposition fans for having a view and airing it - as is his right/job as AFLPA pres.
Yes, I watch him more than the others but if you line ‘em up against the wall, reckon I’d take him first. https://t.co/U24OA4nFNq
The Cats completed a trade with Adelaide in 2015 to acquire Dangerfield, sending picks 11 (Wayne Milera), 33 (Mitch Hibberd) and Dean Gore to the Crows in the deal.
In his four years at Geelong Dangerfield has won three best-and-fairests, been selected in the All-Australian team four times and won the 2016 Brownlow Medal.
Only trades for Brad Ottens (2004) and Leigh Colbert (1999) come close to rivalling the success of the Dangerfield deal in Geelong’s recent history.
In August, coach Chris Scott lauded the onballer as the best player in the AFL after his 34-disposal, four-goal performance against Carlton in Round 23.
A premiership is the only accolade to elude Dangerfield, but last night he offered a positive spin on the Cats’ preliminary final exit this season.
“It’s time to bury the disapppointment for us all,” Dangerfield said upon receiving the award.
“Supporters, members, our incredible staff at the Geelong Football Club.
“Let’s bury the disappointment, let’s look forward. Reflect upon what we have achieved this year, which is great in so many respects.
“We didn’t get it done on field, but we will continue to push for that premiership that we deserve, but will take great work in order to achieve.”
Key defender Mark Blicavs, who finished fifth, won last year’s medal.
Kelly has finished runner-up in his two seasons at Geelong, tying with Dangerfield for second in 2018.
The 25-year-old informed the Cats of his desire to return to his home state on Wednesday, making it clear he would prefer to join West Coast.
“We have definitely got to keep all our options open,” Geelong list manager Stephen Wells told Sportsday tonight.
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“It’s not like a normal market. There’s only a couple of clubs in WA.
“But as a club, we have got to keep our options open.”
Defender Tom Stewart was third with 251 votes, placing ahead of Tom Hawkins (250) and Blicavs (247).
Cats champion Gary Ablett, who today confirmed he would play on in 2020, was seventh.
Veteran swingman Harry Taylor has also recommitted for another year.
Carji Greeves Medal – Top 10
1.Patrick Dangerfield 268
2.Tim Kelly 259.5
3.Tom Stewart 251
4.Tom Hawkins 250
5.Mark Blicavs 247
6.Luke Dahlhaus 245
7.Gary Ablett 241.5
8.Mitch Duncan 240.5
9.Joel Selwood 239
10.Gryan Miers 238