Form points to Danger double
GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield is a hot favourite to claim back-to-back Carji Greeves medals at the Cats’ best and fairest tonight.
Dangerfield, who was ineligible for the Brownlow Medal but polled enough votes to finish second, enjoyed another dominant season for the Cats, averaging 29 touches and almost two goals a game.
The 27-year-old was a dominant vote-getter in the Geelong Advertiser’s player of the season award, collecting 66 votes.
He finished 10 votes clear of midfielder Mitch Duncan, who is likely to battle with captain Joel Selwood for the runner-up position.
Expect that trend to continue tonight, with Dangerfield set to win a stack of best on ground honours throughout the year.
Highlights in 2017 include 5.6 against the Hawks in Round 17, 45 touches against the Giants in Round 15, 36 touches and 12 tackles against the Western Bulldogs in Round 9 and a matchwinning performance in the narrow win over North Melbourne in Round 2.
All eyes will also be on how he polls in Round 22. Dangerfield had 32 touches, two goals and 12 clearances in that game but did not collect one Brownlow Medal vote.
It is likely he will collect maximum votes from Cats’ coaches in that game.
Duncan polled consistently throughout the season, finishing with 56. Averaging 29 disposals in 2017, Duncan enjoyed a purple patch between rounds 13 and 18.
It was his best season in blue and white hoops.
Selwood finished third with 41 votes in the Geelong Advertiser’s count.
However, Carji Greeves Medal rules put him in the frame to finish second. A change to the voting system a number of years ago means that only the 19 highest scoring games count.
Selwood started the season in sizzling form, but that stagnated towards the end.
He suffered an ankle injury in Geelong’s loss to Sydney in Round 20 and did not play again until finals.
The courageous skipper was also concussed early in Geelong’s narrow win over Fremantle.
Geelong’s three finals games are included in voting.
The Cats will also honour recent retirees Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan, and also hand out awards for the VFLW team, Tom Harley best clubman, community champion and best young player. GEELONG ADVERTISER’S 2017 CATS MVP AWARD Patrick Dangerfield (66 votes) Mitch Duncan (56) Joel Selwood (41) Sam Menegola (26) Zach Tuohy (25) Harry Taylor (17) Scott Selwood (13) Lachie Henderson (11) Andrew Mackie, Zac Smith (9) Mark Blicavs, Tom Hawkins (8)