Geelong coach Chris Scott has declared Patrick Dangerfield the best player in the AFL after yet another dominant display in the 68-point win over Carlton.
Dangerfield booted a game-high four goals and had 34 disposals – 18 of them contested – as the Cats smashed the Blues 19.15 (129) to 8.13 (61) at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, guaranteeing them a top-two finish.
“I’m biased but I think he’s the best player in the comp,” said Scott.
“I think he was that again tonight.
“They had a few good players in the midfield but he was outstanding.
“I think he’s in a rare patch of form, even for him.”
Gary Ablett and youngster Quinton Narkle were also very good against the Blues.
But the 2016 Brownlow medallist was the match’s dominant presence in a performance that would almost certainly earn him another three votes in this year’s league best-and-fairest award.
What the 29-year-old craves the most is the ultimate team success, having crossed four seasons ago to the Cats from Adelaide.
“The season itself is all about getting to this point – nothing else really matters,” Dangerfield told reporters.
“We have given ourselves a great opportunity having played the way we have played.
“It will be used over and over, the word ‘exciting’, in the next weeks but it’s true – it is.
“It is hard to compare years but we have got a really healthy list, we’re executing the game plan we have set up, I feel like our players are playing well and our coaches are on top of their game.
“It’s a great place to be.”
Geelong have not contested a grand final since winning a third flag in five years in 2011, while Dangerfield has yet to play in a season decider.