It’s time for the champion lurking within Patrick Dangerfield to emerge...
Patrick Dangerfield has the talent to be the next Chris Judd. He could win a Brownlow - or two. But he has been disappointing. It’s time for him to start exploiting his talent.
Dangerfield was recruited by the Crows at number 10 in the 2007 national draft. He and Cyril Rioli are the two stand-outs from that year, with Rioli drafted by Hawthorn at 12. At the moment Rioli has achieved more. Dangerfield stayed at home in 2008 to finish high school, which perhaps retarded his development as an AFL player. But he has been in the system long enough now.
In many ways he is remarkably like Judd. Both are 189 cm tall. Both have explosive pace, a relentless attack on the ball and power through the hips. Both are goal-kickers - Dangerfield has kicked 62 of them in his 51 games and Judd 183 in 207 games. Both are strong overhead. Both can do the extraordinary - like Dangerfield’s goal against the Lions on Sunday - and, off the field, both seem intelligent, sensible and grounded.
But Judd has had more impact, even at an early age. He won a Brownlow in only his third season, along with a club best-and-fairest. He regularly turns games. He is one of those rare players who not only win the ball more than anyone else, they use it better, too. He makes good decisions. That’s why he changes games and that’s why he is one of the sport’s greats.
Dangerfield could be that good. To watch him bust a pack, or take a contested mark at full forward, or blister through the centre and slot a goal from 50, is to watch a man with the attributes of a champion. He is fast, strong, clever, gutsy and determined.
In his very early days he often got caught holding the ball, despite his ripping pace, because he started bouncing the ball before he had cleared congestion. This year he is tucking the ball under his arm and sprinting clear, which shows that he can learn and improve his game. Against Gold Coast he played smart footy as a forward and kicked six goals.
But we continue to see his brilliance only in patches. He is averaging 16 possessions a game this year. His career average is 14, so he has barely stepped up in 2011. This may be partly because he has spent most of his time up forward, but he could do much more. He could be much more.
The Crows need him to reach a new level. They need someone who can dominate clearances, who can burst through the centre, who can kick three of four from the midfield. At the moment, Scott Thompson is almost a lone hand - he needs help. The likes of Sloane, Douglas, Vince and Van Berlo will all do their bit, but we desperately need a game-changer. Dangerfield has the talent. He has the courage. He has the strength of character. It’s time he showed the footy world just how good he is.
Sarrey’s first novel, Prohibited Zone, featuring a fictional ex-Crows player, is now available at Wakefield Press and in bookstores.
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