DANGER WATCH

Cats to monitor star midfielder amid fresh calf concern

GEELONG doctors will keep a close eye on Patrick Dangerfield’s calf this week amid concerns of further interruptions to the star midfielder’s season.

Dangerfield was subbed out late in the final quarter of the Cats’ 35-point win at home over Port Adelaide with calf tightness on Saturday.

Coach Chris Scott said after the game he hoped it was only for precautionary reasons, but football manager Simon Lloyd confirmed on Sunday the club would monitor the Brownlow medallist (pictured) over coming days.

“We need to assess this throughout the week and, as always, our decisions will be based on what’s best for the player,” Lloyd said.

“We’ll be guided by the medical team.”

It followed a tough week for the 32-year-old who, despite battling illness during the week, managed to stand up in some big moments playing predominantly forward, finishing with 18 disposals, six clearances and four score involvements.

“I actually thought he was good, there’s always a risk when a guy’s bedridden during the week, you don’t know exactly how they’re going to go,” Scott said post-match.

“He probably didn’t know exactly how he was going to go except that he was clearly good enough to play.

“I actually thought he had an impact on the game and was important.”

Now 6-4 and with Adelaide to come at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, the Cats have the chance to win consecutive games for the first time since round 4.

Defender Zach Tuohy warned Adelaide was a “tricky side” for Geelong, as shown by the Crows’ shock 12-point victory over the Cats in last year’s season opener, and that the Cats would not be taking them lightly.

“The game’s pretty hard at the minute, it’s a super even comp . . . it doesn’t feel like there’s ever any gimmes in the game anymore,” Tuohy said.

“Adelaide have been a tricky side for us, I think it was last year round 1 they got the jump on us and they look even better this year.

“Maybe a little bit inconsistent, which you expect from a younger side, but their good is really good.”

Adelaide’s key pillars at either end of the ground have been a shining light throughout the Crows’ inconsistent season, with veteran Taylor Walker leading a potent forward line.

However, Tuohy was full of praise for Geelong’s defensive unit, which has held opposition teams to an average of 60.4 points over the past five games.

“‘DK’ (Sam De Koning) has been unbelievably consistent this year,” he said.

“I know Tom Atkins spent a bit of time in the midfield but, again, he’s another guy that I just rate so highly, defensively he’s an absolute brute.

“Like any good team, we’re going to have to try and be a little bit more efficient going forward but if we play like we did today (Saturday), I’m pretty confident we’d beat most teams.”