There is an easy, and genuine camaraderie between Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart when they sit down with Cats Media to do their first official interview as the two men tasked with leading the Geelong Football Club into its next era. 

It’s the morning after the club’s ‘win’ over Hawthorn in a match simulation at GMHBA Stadium and both players are showing no signs of the first competitive hit out of the year, despite it happening under an especially warm February sun.

As the crowd shuffled through the gates ahead of the 4pm Thursday start the day before, deep below the grandstand, the players had gathered into the auditorium where coach Chris Scott stood before the group and announced that Dangerfield and Stewart would be the club’s captain and vice-captain respectively for the 2023 season. 

It had been over ten years since Geelong had to give much thought to its on-field leadership structure, but with the departure of Joel Selwood at the end of the 2022 season, a new day had dawned.

On the field, the two players are very similar. Not necessarily in their style of play, but in how they play the game. Both are relentlessly competitive, and both carry with them a hard, steely gaze as the first bounce gets closer. Away from the ground, they’re different, Dangerfield can be a joker, and though he’s become more ‘balanced’, Dangerfield’s words, Stewart the competitor is never far away. 

But the two are close.  

According to Dangerfield, they talk football all the time, both at the club and at home over text or a call. But both players are clear that despite their titles, the leadership of the Geelong Football Club doesn’t sit solely on their shoulders

“It’s certainly not just the two of us,” Dangerfield said. 

“We're really fortunate to have an experienced group, so whilst it sits in the decals, it extends way beyond just the two of us, so we're fortunate to have a group of 10-15 who have had a really long AFL experience, and we'll draw on that.” 

“We're not perfect, and we'll make mistakes here and there, but that's part of the journey.”

Stewart agreed.

“It's a massive strength of ours that any given moment, or any given part of the week, or game day, we can touch on those knowledge points and really get the essence of the group and what it's feeling, and we’ll utlise everyone to our advantage.”

The laughs come easily between the two as they move from station to station, getting their official photos taken, to recording radio scripts and membership messages before settling in for their interview, but mood becomes heavier when the talk turns to the privilege of their positions.  

“It’s surreal,” Dangerfield said of his appointment. 

“It's a pretty proud moment and to do it with Tom, we've known each other for a long time, it'll be special.” 

Fittingly, the chat takes place in the Captain’s Room on Level 3 of GMHBA Stadium. A place where the walls are adorned with black and white photos of past Geelong greats, like friendly ghosts, and where the expanse of the Cats’ hallowed home turf rolls out beneath them. It’s where the next chapter of the Geelong Football Club will be written, a story that both players will have a major hand in writing. 

One thing that is clear as the morning goes on is how much the new captain appreciates having Stewart by his side; there’s no player he’d rather run out alongside. 

“No, or to train against,” he said. “Or to keep the group accountable to just being the best you can possibly be every session and I think that's a wonderful trait to have. 

“I think he's even more balanced since having kids,” Dangerfield laughed. 

“Definitely,” Stewart interjects.  

“But he's laser-sharp in his intensity to get the best out of himself and I think that's such an important thing to have as a leader, that you're performing on the field, and he's the best defender in the comp and we're lucky to have him.”

Both players reminded everyone what their best looked like this week against the Hawks. Dangerfield shifting through the gears as only he can – the breakaway speed is still breathtaking in person – and Stewart picking apart the opposition defence seemingly at will, but with real stuff only just around the corner, Stewart, eyes focused, said the group will have no trouble maintaining the rage. 

“We've been through so many different experiences as a group, been so close, and having tasted the ultimate success, it does become addictive,” he said. 

“We're very, very keen to do it again but we understand how difficult it is so I think we've got that right balance of knowing exactly what we want and how to get it but also having that thirst and that drive to continue to grow and develop.

“It’s going to take a hell of a lot of work but we're really excited for what's ahead. Collingwood, Round 1, Friday night at the 'G. It's why you play footy, it's exactly what we're built for, it's where you want to be and we can't wait.” 

After 10 seasons, the Selwood era may have finally come to a close, but in Dangerfield, Stewart and an extraordinary large group of leaders alongside them, it would appear that the club remains in very, very sure hands.