WEST Coast coach John Worsfold sees a lot of dualBrownlow medallist Chris Judd in Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield.
The Eagles face the Crows on Saturday night at AAMIStadium in a vital clash for both clubs in the context of their seasons, andDangerfield looms as a key figure.
Worsfold said that Dangerfield reminded him of theEagles' 2006 premiership captain.
"The strength to stand up in the tackle and comeout of congested situations with some good speed and power … and he's pretty clean in there as well inthose congested situations."
Worsfold knows Judd as well as anyone. Judd played hisfirst 134 matches in the AFL with West Coast.
Under Worsfold's tutelage he won a Brownlow medal, aNorm Smith medal, two best and fairest awards, an AFLPA MVP, captained apremiership team and was twice named All Australian.
Dangerfield hasn't quite soared to those heights inhis first 102 games but he is coming off his best season in the AFL.
The 23-year-old was named All Australian in 2012 forthe first time, finished second in Adelaide's best and fairest, and seventh inthe Brownlow Medal count.
Worsfold says Dangerfield is now an elite player inthe competition.
"He's just one of those special players whenyou're watching the game.
"He can impact in various ways."
Dangerfield has averaged 24 disposals so far thisseason.
But of all the midfielders in the competitionaveraging 24 touches or more, Dangerfield has kicked the most goals, 20 in all,including two bags of four against the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney.
"I think over his career he'll be more of a goalkicker than Juddy," Worsfold said.
"But that's partly because he spends more timeforward in the way the game is played.
"We're certainly conscious of what he can bringand we'll put things in place to limit the impact he can have on the game ifthat's possible."
Worsfold was unsure whether a hard tag was the bestway of containing a player like Dangerfield.
"There's a balance there.
"If you think you can get off him the other way,then you might be giving him a bit more leeway to win the footy and damage yourprospects.
"I think that they’re always things that you arebalancing up with every opposition."