PATRICK Dangerfield is the winner of this year's Tom Wills Award after a dominant best-on-ground display in Geelong's 66-point victory against Essendon in this year's Powercor Country Festival clash at the MCG on Saturday.

The 31-year-old was particularly dominant early in the contest with 22 of his 31 disposals coming in the opening half when the game was there to be won.

The explosive onballer also finished with 19 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, 9 inside 50s, 8 clearances and a goal in a complete display.

“I thought he took the game away from the opposition early on and we have been confident in him more so than the last couple of years because he has endured some physical limitations. Our medical and sport science team have done a terrific job with him. He looked like the Danger of a few years ago,” coach Chris Scott said post-game.

00:45

Danger On Fire As Cats Get Two In A Flash

Patrick Dangerfield exploded with a brilliant long-range goal before setting the ball on a platter for Cameron in this minute to remember

Tom Wills Award Background

Wills was born in 1835 and grew up various regional areas on family owned properties. A great cricketer in his day, Wills is credited with co-writing the original rules of Australian rules football. Wills pushed for the establishment of a football code, and famously on 10 July 1858 his letter to Bells’ Life sports paper was the catalyst for the formation of the game we now know as Australian rules.

Wills was a co-founder of both the Geelong and Melbourne Football Clubs and was involved in the formation of the VFA in 1877. Wills played around 170 games with the Cats and captained the club.