Patrick Dangerfield – Clearances & Inside 50’s
The Cats skipper is regarded as one of the top players of the modern generation, and could potentially topple a number of AFL records in 2024.
Starting with his work around stoppages, Dangerfield currently sits fourth in AFL history with 1760 total clearances across his 16 year career.
With a tightly packed top three on the list, the premiership Cat is just 84 clearances off top spot which is currently held by former skipper and Geelong legend, Joel Selwood.
Dangerfield has recorded 84 or more clearances in every season since 2011, so expect to see him break this record at some stage in 2024.
The other record within reach is inside 50’s, with the captain sitting third on the all-time list with 1578 total entries throughout his career.
Dangerfield finished 2023 just 61 inside 50 entries away from the all-time leader, Brent Harvey with Gary Ablett Jr also well within reach in second place.
Similar to his clearance numbers, Dangerfield has not recorded less than 61 inside 50s in a season since 2011, so expect the Cats skipper to top this list by the end of 2024.
Dangerfield already holds the record for most contested possessions in AFL history, while also sitting in the top 10 for goal assists and top 20 for total disposals.
Tom Hawkins – Marking Statistics
Tom Hawkins has been a powerhouse forward for the majority of his career, already holding the AFL record for the most marks inside 50 by any player history.
But the spearhead can also break the record for the most contested marks in history this year, currently sitting in second place just 16 marks behind Nick Riewoldt.
Hawkins has taken 16 or more contested marks every year since his debut season in 2007, so similarly to Dangerfield, this is another record expected to be broken in 2024.
With all the talk about Gryan Miers incredible assist record this season, Hawkins quietly had another solid year and solidified his position in the all time goal assist standings.
The big Cat sits second on the all time list, just 27 adrift of Eddie Betts which is quite an achievement for a key forward.
Hawkins biggest season haul for goal assists came in 2022 where he notched right on 27 for the year, so while this record is unlikely to be broken it is one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Tom Stewart – Rebound 50’s
He won’t reach the number one spot by the end of 2024, but Tom Stewart is making incredible inroads into the rebound 50 record books in a short span of time.
The star defender racked up another 158 rebounds in 2023, falling just short of his own club record that he set during the 2019 season.
Stewart holds five of the top nine season totals for rebounds in Geelong history, moving into 17th on the all time list despite having played just seven years at the top level.
Having amassed over 100 rebounds in each of his last six seasons and sitting just 130 off the top ten in league history, expect to see Stewart gain further ground on this list throughout the 2024 season.
