Symptoms, not scans, will guide Dangerfield

AFL GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield says he is sick of the media circus surrounding his hamstring injury and won’t provide a running commentary as he races the clock to be fit for Round 1.

Dangerfield was yesterday diagnosed with a low-grade hamstring strain, keeping alive the slim chance he could line up against Melbourne on Sunday week, just 14 days after suffering the injury in the Cats’ JLT Series match against Essendon in Colac.

The 2016 Brownlow Medallist will undertake an individualised training program over the next 10 days, with symptoms – not scan results – to determine when he’s ready to play.

“I think everyone’s different with how they handle it, everybody reacts differently to difWe’re ferent injuries, so for me, we’ll deal with the symptoms rather than be too concerned with what we see on any pictures,” Dangerfield said.

“It depends on how it feels. not going to push it, it’s Round 1, so we’re going to be realistic from that perspective.

“We’ll give it as long as we can; if it’s not right, we’re not going to push it.

“It’s Round 1, so we’ve got to be realistic with that, but we’re not going to provide a running commentary, which it has been the last few days. I think everyone has had enough of it, I think even you guys (the media) have had enough of it.”

The 27-year-old said the eight-day break to the Cats’ Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn would also be part of the calculation.

“No doubt, if you didn’t play Round 1, it would be 21 days and it looks far different,” he said. “But, if there’s no reason why not to play, then you play and if it’s not right then you don’t play.

“I think a pragmatic approach is the one we’ll take.”

IF IT’S NOT RIGHT, WE’RE NOT GOING TO PUSH IT