Star Cat targets composure

GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield has zeroed in on improving his composure with the ball after a “far from ideal” performance in the qualifying final last week.

The midfield dynamo has confirmed he will have surgery on a fractured finger at season’s end, but is determined to play through the pain.

Dangerfield faced criticism for his 23-disposal game in a 43-point loss to Port Adelaide – which included eight clangers as he went at 56 per cent disposal efficiency – leaving AFL legend Leigh Matthews to ponder if he was “trying too hard”.

The Cats vice-captain’s worrisome finger played a part as he uncharacteristically dropped multiple marks, including an uncontested grab that slipped through his hands and resulted in a critical Orazio Fantasia goal.

Dangerfield said his finger would “need a bit of work” on the operating table at season’s end but was “nothing that can’t wait until then”.

The Brownlow medallist said he had heard the talk around his game and conceded there was some truth to the criticism.

“When I reflect on my game from the weekend, it was far from ideal and one of those things that I have got to improve on is that composure,” he told SEN.

“I wouldn’t say ‘trying too hard’, what I would say is, it is a level-headedness you need under the heat of battle that I didn’t execute last week.

“That presence of mind to slow things down a bit rather than just rush at times.”