Cats to claw for flag under Dangerfield
GEELONG vice-captain Tom Stewart declared the Cats would have no trouble maintaining the rage in their bid for back-to-back premierships as he hailed the leadership of new captain and “competitive beast” Patrick Dangerfield.
After the reigning premiers unveiled Dangerfield as the retired Joel Selwood’s successor as skipper, Stewart said the taste of ultimate success had become “addictive” for the Cats.
The star defender will again serve as vice-captain this year after he shared the role with Dangerfield under Selwood last season.
Stewart was confident the Cats had the right balance of experience and ambition coupled with a thirst for growth and development for their premiership defence.
“I think it’s pretty easy to maintain that (rage),” Stewart said. “We have been through so many different experiences as a group, been so close and having tasted the ultimate success, it does become addictive.
“We are very, very keen to do it again, but we understand how difficult it is. I think we have got that right balance of knowing exactly what we want and how to get it, but also having that thirst and that drive to continue to grow and to develop.
“(The practice match v Hawthorn) was a prime example of that. We had some new players come in that want to be the best that they can right now which drives us to be better again.”
Dangerfield becomes the Cats’ first new captain in 12 seasons after succeeding the AFL’s longest-serving skipper. An appointment as captain was one of the last honours remaining for the midfield star in a brilliant career, which now includes a premiership alongside his Brownlow Medal, eight AllAustralian blazers and four club best and fairest awards.
Stewart said Selwood and Dangerfield were “both different characters” but hailed the impact both had on his leadership at the club.
“Joel was unbelievable for me in my journey and Pat has been brilliant as well,” Stewart said.
“Joel (is) obviously very to the point and very astute with the way that he goes about things and I think Pat’s leadership’s fantastic as well.
“He is absolutely a competitive beast and brutal on the field, but he has that caring nature and that humorous side as well, which is just as important. The joy that he brings to the game of football and the way that he goes about it is something that I truly respect.
“He finds such a great balance in … being a competitive beast and winning and wanting to be a great winner but also just having that joy off the field.”
A four-time All-Australian, who Dangerfield rated the “best defender in the comp”, Stewart did not expect his role under the new captain to change “too much”.
“My strength is going to be able to support Pat as well as I possibly can,” Stewart said.