GEELONG players Mitch Duncan and Jared Rivers have given their approval for the Cats to make a play for impending free agent Patrick Dangerfield.

 

Dangerfield remains contracted to Adelaide until the end of this season with many clubs certain to make a play for the superstar in October's free agency period should he still be unsigned.

 

The speculation behind Dangerfield's possible departure from Adelaide increased further on Wednesday when he was overlooked for the Crows' captaincy. New coach Phil Walsh opted to go with spearhead Taylor Walker instead.

 

Given Dangerfield's links to the Geelong area, the Cats are viewed as frontrunners to acquire his services.

 

Cats CEO Brian Cook said recently his club would ask the permission of the club's leadership group before pursuing Dangerfield, however Duncan has given his blessing.

 

"It's hard to say at the moment, he's still got another year to run on his contract," Duncan said at Brighton Beach on Thursday morning.

 

"If Pat wanted to come to Geelong I'm sure everyone (Cats players) would say yes.

 

"He's a great player for Adelaide, so we'll just have to wait until the end of the year."

 

 

That Dangerfield hails from Moggs Creek on Victoria's Surf Coast, just a 55-minute drive from Geelong, has fuelled conjecture that the Cats may be his destination of choice.

 

"He grew up in Geelong so I guess he's got a lot of Geelong friends that still live there," Duncan said.

 

"A few of the boys (Geelong players Joel Selwood, Steve Johnson and Harry Taylor) had a bit to do with him on the International Rules trip, so hopefully we can get him down there."

 

 

Rivers, who crossed to the Cats from Melbourne via free agency ahead of the 2013 season, said the Cats would be silly not to enquire about Dangerfield's services.

 

 

"I think anyone will go after someone as a good a player as him. There's no doubt he is a quality player and we'll just have to wait until the end of the year," Rivers said.

 

"It's what you guys (the media) will be talking about all year, so I look forward to reading the different articles."

 

Even without Dangerfield creating chaos through the midfield in 2015, Rivers believes this year's squad has what it takes to remain in top-four contention.

 

The Cats were bundled out of last year's finals series by North Melbourne in their semi-final battle, after finishing in third position at the end of the home and away season.

 

Geelong has not missed the finals since 2007.

 

"I think top four is a possibility, no doubt," Rivers said.

 

"We've had a few older players move on but we definitely still think we're a chance again this year."