Geelong Cats face ‘challenging times’ after Patrick Dangerfield’s injury blow

An AFL great has cast doubt over Geelong’s premiership chances after the true extent of Patrick Dangerfield’s ankle injury was revealed.

Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield.

Geelong Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield will be sidelined “indefinitely” after undergoing ankle surgery on Wednesday evening.

Dangerfield limped off GMHBA Stadium during the third quarter of Geelong’s 30-point victory over North Melbourne on the weekend, telling reporters he felt it was a minor tweak.

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Scans later revealed the 31-year-old had suffered a syndesmosis injury, the club deciding surgery was the best course of action.

Geelong hopes the eight-time All-Australian will return within two months.

“Dangerfield will be out of action indefinitely, with his rehabilitation and recovery from the injury determining his return to play,” Geelong confirmed in a statement.

Comparatively, Geelong captain Joel Selwood recovered in five weeks after undergoing the same syndesmosis surgery in 2017.

Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats.

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Melbourne great Garry Lyon believes Geelong will face some “challenging times” without Dangerfield, his absence mounting pressure on the club’s ageing stars.

“It makes it much, much harder. We know the sort of player that Patrick Dangerfield is and the influence he can have over the result and the team,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“I picked Geelong (to win the flag) before the season, just took a shot at the dartboard as we all do, and I thought with their ins they would have one more shot at it.

“What they wouldn’t have needed is the injuries to Jeremy Cameron, there’s no certainty he’ll be back this week and now this injury to Patrick Dangerfield.

“What it does is it puts more pressure on your other ageing stars. Joel Selwood gives his heart and soul every time he plays, but now that Dangerfield isn’t there he’ll have to assume more of a role. Mitch Duncan’s had injuries.

“I think it makes it really hard.”

Earlier this season, Dangerfield copped a three-week suspension following a frightening collision with Adelaide Crows defender Jake Kelly in late March.

Having won three of their opening five games, Geelong will next face the West Coast Eagles at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.