Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield says the culture at Kardinia Park has aided his longevity

A Geelong veteran reveals the secret to his durability as the numbers show a significant shift his role in 2025.

Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield celebrates a goal against Brisbane. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

He’s one of a very small group still taking to the field almost two decades after first being drafted.

In fact, there’s just three in that exclusive club.

However, Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield says it’s the environment at Kardinia Park which has helped him close in on 20 seasons at the top level while still having an impact in the key moments in an evolving hybrid role.

Dangerfield, now 34, was taken with pick 10 in the 2007 national draft, with top selections like Matthew Kreuzer, Trent Cotchin, Chris Masten, Brad Ebert, Lachy Henderson, Cyril Rioli, Ben McEvoy and Harry Taylor becoming relatively lengthy servants of their clubs.

But the majority are long gone in terms of their careers.

Only Giants veteran Callan Ward remains from the top 20 cohort of nearly 18 years ago, from a draft which was held on the same day John Howard was voted out of top office, November 24, 2007.

Tex Walker is also going strong.

Draftees Tony Armstrong, Andy Otten, Patrick Dangerfield, Myke Cook and Aaron Kite at Adelaide Airport in 2007.

So when asked what was a secret behind his longevity, Dangerfield said it was the culture of the Cats which had helped him stay mentally vibrant and physically sound, following his switch from the Adelaide Crows after the 2015 season.

Dangerfield put pen to paper in October last year for a two-year deal at Kardinia Park, taking him to the end of the 2026 season.

“To be honest, so much is the environment,” Dangerfield said, who is 10 matches short of the 350-mark.

“I think for many players, you just mentally fatigue from the game, more than the physical part.

Dangerfield gets sprayed by teammates after playing his first game against Essendon at the then Telstra Dome.

“I think the thing we’ve tried to do as an organisation is it should never be that, it should be your body that gives up and you’re mentally fresh because it’s a really enjoyable workplace to come into.

“I don’t have the anxiety before a team meeting or training, it’s just a great place to come to work, it’s full of smiles, it’s full of laughs.

“That’s a privilege, because once it’s finished there is no coming back.

“I think it’s more reflective of the workplace to be honest and the joy it brings you as a player.”

Senior coach Chris Scott said last season he hadn’t noticed any signs that Dangerfield’s famous burst of speed had diminished to his eye.

Meanwhile, Dangerfield said he was enjoying his hybrid role in 2025, spending a lot more time forward of the ball compared to the past three seasons.

Dangerfield during the warm up before the match against Brisbane. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

According to Champion Data, Dangerfield has spent 48 per cent of his time in the forward line so far this season, compared to 52 per cent in the midfield.

Although a small sample size, it’s a decent shift from 17 per cent forward in 2024, and 10 per cent in 23, forward of the ball.

The Cats midfield, which possessed Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Cam Guthrie in the 2022 premiership year, has evolved into the likes of Bailey Smith, Max Holmes, Jhye Clark and Tom Atkins doing the heavy lifting.

However, Dangerfield has continued to kick the team-lifting goals – like last Saturday night’s monster against Brisbane – and the 34-year-old wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a fun place to play, you get front row seats to Jeremy Cameron, Tyson Stengle and Ollie Henry,” he said.

“I think everyone enjoys celebrating a goal, and I’m no different as well.”

When asked if Barwon Heads forward Ollie Wiltshire might squeeze in this year, Dangerfield said he was shaping to be another “Stephen Wells special”.

“From the backstreets of the Bellarine to playing some really good footy, and I think he’ll get his opportunity at some stage, and a great local story,” he said.

Originally published as Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield says the culture at Kardinia Park has aided his longevity