Geelong forward Luke Dahlhaus reckons when he’s putting his body on the line, that’s generally a sign he’s playing his best football.
At 179cm and 77kg, Dahlhaus has never been afraid to play with reckless abandon – like when he threw himself into a ground-ball contest with St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall during last weekend’s game at GMHBA Stadium.
Dahlhaus was left gasping for breath after the 101kg Marshall clattered into his ribs.
The Cats went on to win and Dahlhaus was feted in a club video that showcased examples of his wrecking-ball style.
While he was renowned for his toughness as a premiership player at the Western Bulldogs, Dahlhaus freely admits there were times towards the unhappy end of his eight-year stint at Whitten Oval when it went out of his game.
“It has always been there. When I wasn’t in the best form over the last couple of years, it probably went away a bit,” Dahlhaus told AAP.
“But I feel like I’m still doing those sort of things, things that I’ve done since I was a kid, as good as I ever have.
“It’s something I’ve always prided myself on – hardness and doing the team thing.
“It sort of comes naturally when you’re going OK, I guess.”
Going OK might be an understatement given how Dahlhaus has managed to seamlessly fit into a successful club, play every game and thrive in a new role.
Having played mostly in the midfield at the Dogs, Dahlhaus has helped to transform the Cats’ forward line with his emphasis on tackling and pressure.
The Cats sit two games clear at the top of the ladder and look destined to earn two home finals.
Yet after squaring their four games since the mid-year bye, their status as premiership favourites has been questioned.
“It’s quite interesting, to be honest,” Dahlhaus said.
“I don’t watch many footy shows or anything like that for those sort of reasons.
“We’d love to be playing better but teams are coming for us. We’re at the top and the competition is that even, anyone can win on any night.
“Things can change pretty quick. I don’t think we’re going too bad, anyway.”
With the AFL signalling that Geelong almost certainly won’t be allowed to play any home finals at GHMBA Stadium, Sunday’s clash with Hawthorn is the Cats’ last opportunity to get familiar with the MCG before September.
While the two sides aren’t close on the ladder this season, Dahlhaus suggested there was still plenty of heat in the great modern-day rivalry.
“You can see that the boys really do like to get up for this one,” he said.
“It was a ripping match on Easter Monday as well so I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
