Patrick Dangerfield eyes new two-year deal at Geelong, Scott Pendlebury keen to play on

Patrick Dangerfield is on the cusp of extending his AFL career into a remarkable 19th season, while Scott Pendlebury has opened up on his future as he closes in on his 400th game.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 12: Tom Stewart of the Cats is seen injured during the 2024 AFL Round 18 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 12, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield is keen to secure a two-year deal that would see him playing at 36 years of age as Scott Pendlebury confirmed he would play on next year.

The pair who share 14 All Australian jumpers and a million magical moments played on each other at times on Friday night as the Cats continued their mid-season resurgence.

Dangerfield is at an age when almost every player in the league would be playing on year-by-year contracts.

But given his exceptional form in recent weeks after getting over another hamstring strain, he confirmed a two-year deal would be part of the club’s conversation.

That would take him to 19 total seasons of football after turning 34 in April.

Cats football boss Andrew Mackie said in interviews on radio and Fox Footy on Friday night contract talks with Dangerfield’s manager Paul Connors would take “about three seconds”.

Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies and Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats chat after the game on Friday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

But if Dangerfield wants two years it might take a deeper conversation and some haggling.

Asked about whether he could secure a two-year deal, Dangerfield said: “That is the conversation to be frank”.

“We haven’t got into any depth around that just yet and it will be an open pragmatic conversation. I understand where clubs sit in these things and the preferences from both parties. That is a mature conversation we will have with Andrew and the club. Playing good footy helps.

“I haven’t had any in depth conversations around that just yet but I am comfortable with where things are at and the club are. We will get to it in due time,” he told SEN.

Pendlebury told ABC Radio pre-game on Friday he was intent on playing on, with the star Pie needing only three more games to reach the magical 400-game milestone.

He would hit that milestone in a home game against Carlton in round 21 if he dodged injury.

“Yeah, we are in talks at the moment,” Pendlebury said.

“I would say it’s looking more than likely I will play on next year but we have a couple of things we need to get to and I need to get through the year as well.

“I have alway said while I feel like the club is contending and challenging and our group is pretty special with our day to day environment and I can contribute … I hear a lot of ex footballers say you should play for as long as you can.”

SCOTT COY ON STEWART CONCUSSION TEST

Geelong says Tom Stewart avoided concussion and is hopeful Shannon Neale will be available to take on the Western Bulldogs after the club reignited its top four hopes with a third straight victory.

Geelong comfortably accounted for Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night and with an 11-6 record is a strong chance to press for a double chance given three more games at GMHBA Stadium.

Neale was subbed off in the second half after an earlier hit to the throat and while he went to hospital for scans on his larynx he has no structural damage and could be ready next week.

If he isn’t available Ollie Henry could come into the starting side after kicking a late goal as the sub.

Tom Stewart of the Cats is helped from the field after a heavy collision on Friday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Stewart was taken off the ground after a head clash that concussed Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz, putting the Pies forward out of the contest.

But while he left the ground for treatment on a cut to the side of his head, Stewart did not go into the rooms for the SCAT 6 test which requires a 20-minute stint in the rooms.

The AFL allows club doctors to conduct head injury assessments on the ground or on the bench as the league grapples with increased community sensitivity over concussion management.

St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall was able to convince his club doctor he was fit with a simple thumbs up after a heavy clash this year while he took part in a ruck contest.

So while Stewart’s collision looked worrying after an earlier concussion this year, the AFL will have no issues with him not having a SCAT 6.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said post-match he was only interested in finding out from the club doctor if a player was available or not.

No concussion assessment for Tom Stewart is a strange one?? 🤷‍♂️

— SimonC (@simonsbargains) July 12, 2024

How can one player have concussion and the other come back on the ground - don’t get it

— Melsa5 (@Melsa4) July 12, 2024

Why was Stewart not assessed I think the afl should step in questions should be asked

— NickB1981 (@nick_b1981) July 12, 2024

“The feedback to me was that he was fine. Did he have a cut? Yep, so he had to get that sorted. But the feedback was that he was fine.”

Asked if he had a concussion test, he replied: “It’s a question I can’t answer and to be brutally honest I just refuse to answer those questions. One, because I don’t know. But most importantly I don’t ask. I don’t want anything to do with that stuff.”

Tanner Bruhn is still a number of weeks away with a scaphoid injury but Cam Guthrie is finally building up his fitness after achilles tendinitis.

Football boss Andrew Mackie said pre-match the club expected Tom Hawkins would be available to play again this year despite a lisfranc issue in his foot.

“There is an expectation that later in the year he will be available so that’s good for him and us. To his credit he has been right into his physical preparation. When you are off your feet it’s hard work and there are different exercises you require to keep your fitness up. He’s right into it,” he said.

Originally published as Patrick Dangerfield eyes new two-year deal at Geelong, Scott Pendlebury keen to play on