Patrick Dangerfield rates Collingwood’s midfield the best in the competition

Patrick Dangerfield says taking on Collingwood’s midfield will be an imposing task as his Geelong teammates begin acclimatising to new rules he believes will have “serious ramifications” on the league.

Patrick Dangerfield believes the new rules will have an impact when the season proper starts. Picture: Getty Images

Patrick Dangerfield says Geelong is ready to hunt a Collingwood midfield he rates as the best in the competition in a Friday night Round 1 blockbuster.

But beforehand, Geelong’s players will spend both JLT contests acclimatising to new rules Dangerfield believed would have “serious ramifications” for the competition.

Dangerfield told the Herald Sun new rules allowing players to hold their ground might bring about “the rebirth of the power forwards”.

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Geelong is thrilled with the performance of emerging forward Brandon Parfitt, while Scott Selwood is ready for Round 1 after being unavailable for the season opener for his first three seasons at the Cats.

They will combine with Tim Kelly, Mitch Duncan, Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood — although Ablett is likely to spent plenty of time forward.

That Round 1 MCG clash could draw more than 85,000 people as Collingwood fans get their first chance to witness the Pies since the heartbreaking Grand Final defeat.

Champion Data ranks Geelong’s midfield as the second-best in the competition behind Melbourne, while the Pies are in fourth position.

Patrick Dangerfield says playing against Collingwood’s midfield will be a great challenge. Picture: Michael Klein

Dangerfield said taking on the Magpies’ midfield stacked with A-grade talent was an imposing task.

“That (planning) will ramp up over the next few weeks; it makes sense, it’s the one game you have six months to prepare for,’’ he said.

“And they are a wonderful side and have so many wonderful players — the midfield is probably the best in the competition. It poses a great challenge for us and I think we have got a group that enjoys that sort of challenge.”

The AFL’s rule changes have not had a significant impact in early-season practice matches but Dangerfield believed their effect could eventually be profound.

“Most teams are going to have that philosophy because even though there are only slight tweaks to the rules, there are going to be serious ramifications,” he said.

“I think we are going to have more scoring, I think crowds are going to be far more interested in it.

Brandon Parfitt has impressed over summer. Picture: Getty Images

“I think we are going to have more scoring, I think crowds are going to be far more interested in it.

“I think it’s almost the rebirth of the power forwards who can almost throw defenders out of the way.

“If you are a young kid you don’t want to be a defender growing up now, but that’s what we want to see — big marks and big goals. I think the rule changes speak to that.”

At times the Cats could attempt to isolate Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins forward, with both players elite one-on-one marking forwards.

The new rules allow players to hold off opponents with their arms to protect the drop zone of the ball, so umpires will have to interpret how much force power forwards can use.

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