Despite his honours, Danger seeks ‘total fulfilment’ of premiership

FIRST things first, let’s accept that Patrick Dangerfield is a great of the game.

“Nuh,’’ interrupts Dangerfield. “I don’t believe that.

“I get embarrassed when I stand — and it happens a lot because I do functions with Joel Selwood and Gaz (Ablett) and Tom Hawkins — and you’re standing with premiership players … I hate it.’’ He said it again and again. “I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.’’

And each time, the tone changed in his voice.

What started as playfulness ended with a brutal reality. He is not a premiership player.

So, how can he be a great without the ultimate greatness?

“I hate that,’’ he said. “Even playing finals, because you really haven’t won finals until you’ve won the last final of the year. Nothing counts unless you win it.

“I remember listening to Matty Pavlich, and it’s etched in my memory, he was talking about fulfilment when he finished his career, whether he felt fulfilled, and everyone’s different, obviously.

“But if I put myself in that position, I don’t think I could ever feel really satisfied when all you’ve ever tried to do is get to there.

“You don’t realise it when you first start, you think your career is going to last forever, but then you get beyond halfway and this is my 12th year, and it’s that feeling of mortality. I don’t think I will be fulfilled unless I win a premiership.’’

Dangerfield talks in the present.

Nick Riewoldt labours in the past. The St Kilda champ’s pain is Dangerfield’s fear.

“Would I rather we had won one?’’ Riewoldt said. “Bloody oath. I think about it all the time — all the time. But we didn’t. So what do I do? Go and get filthy on the game?’’

Dangerfield is 29, Geelong’s best player and one of the game’s best players for almost eight years.

His peers parade above him. Dustin Martin won a flag. Selwood and Gazza won flags. Even Marcus Bontempelli, who is younger, has a flag. Dangerfield has attended every Grand Final since 2012, and it was the Bulldogs who roused the biggest reaction.

“Watching the Dogs in ’16 was horrific,’’ he said.

“I was so envious of what they had. The biggest thing I envy is the hour afterwards.

“I was at a function, so I was at the MCG for ages afterwards, most people had gone, a bit of music was playing, and they were on the field.

“Imagine that feeling, when the lights go down, everyone’s gone home and it’s just you and the team and having done everything you set out to do nine months prior.

“Total fulfilment. Imagine feeling totally fulfilled. Because when you’ve won a Brownlow, that just doesn’t happen.’’