Dangerfield delighting in forward line breaks for flourishing Cats

Geelong’s new-look midfield are what is effectively an AFL version of The Matrix, according to Patrick Dangerfield.

Geelong’s Joel Selwood, left, and Patrick Dangerfield are part of a red-hot Cats side

Key members of Geelong’s new-look midfield are in what is effectively an AFL version of The Matrix, according to champion Cats star Patrick Dangerfield.

The Brownlow Medallist praised the influence of teammates Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola, who, along with Brandon Parfitt, have been dynamic from the centre this season.

Geelong has furthered its hopes for a top-four finish in recent weeks despite the absence of durable captain Joel Selwood and superstar Gary Ablett.

In a compressed season, the performance of Guthrie and company has also allowed Geelong the luxury of resting Dangerfield deep in attack for sustained periods.

From that vantage point, he has been impressed by the impact of teammates he believes are now reaching the peak of their careers.

The seven-time All Australian said the game “slows down around” in-form players and that the trio of Cats seem to have additional time to dispose the football at the moment.

“Both Cam and Sam, they are a really good age profile when you play your best footy, when you recover well from games and it seems like the games slow down around them at the moment, because they are on top of their own individual game,” he said.

“It has been pivotal for us and that has certainly been one of the underlying reasons for our success, because we have a number of players in really good form.

“They are having great seasons. They are both pros in the way they prepare. It certainly has not come as a surprise internally … because they have worked hard for their results and it is great to see.”

Guthrie, who has played 174 games, is enjoying the best season of his career, while Menegola remains dangerous within range of goal as well as prolific in the midfield.

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Dangerfield has no doubt he is benefiting physically from being able to step out of the midfield for periods in what is clearly a challenging season and said he had no plans to miss a match.

“It has been really beneficial. Critical, I think, especially with the short turnarounds in games,” he said.

“Without doing it, there is probably a stage where you have to have a rest at some stage, so it has been really beneficial to be able to sit down and we have got some really good pressure forwards which can alleviate that play when I do play deeper towards goal.

“Once you hit 30, you spend a bit less time around the ball, and maybe it is a bit of that (as well), but so far, so good.”

The third-placed Cats face another significant test on Friday night when they clash with the Western Bulldogs on the Gold Coast.

The Bulldogs, who have a strong, versatile midfield, have reclaimed a spot in the eight with recent wins over Adelaide and fellow finals contender Melbourne.

Given the congestion at the top of the ladder and also in the lower stages of the eight, it is a vital match for both clubs in the race for the finals.

Dangerfield said the Cats, who could be boosted by the return of Selwood for Friday’s clash, were determined to maintain the momentum that has seen them win their past four matches in succession.

“It feels like we are well placed, but that being said, so much can change over the course of the next four weeks, so we have to make sure we really remain resilient to our own form, that we don’t get ahead of ourselves, that we continue the process rather than just looking at the outcome,” he said.

The @AFLCoaches agree 🤝 Cam Guthrie is a league-leader in 2020.

READ 📘: https://t.co/F9IkGKkcWH pic.twitter.com/uUtlN7UC7P

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) August 25, 2020