Dangerfield on the Importance of Pre-Season

It is fun to be honest, this time of year everything generally feels good because there hasn't been the crash and bash of a season.

But it only feels like yesterday that the previous season finished up.

With new faces comes that energetic feeling around the place, it is hard not to get caught up in that.

I think the most important period for all teams will be the Christmas break this year, because the runway is short particularly for those teams playing in the Opening Round. Once you come back in the New Year, it is pretty much a month before practice games. 

11:52

Full List Returns | Patrick Dangerfield Press Conference

With the full AFL list now back training, Patrick Dangerfield spoke to the press. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

Dangerfield on Bailey Smith's Arrival 

We just want Bailey to be himself to be honest.

It is not so much conforming to how we want to play, we want him to play to his strengths and that to benefit us as a team.

We will find out what that is over the next two months, you have an idea because you see him and play against him.

But it is not until you pull on the guernsey together and you understand the running patterns, where he likes to get the ball and all those sorts of things. That will take a little bit of time, but it is a pretty short runway into opening round. 

Dangerfield on the Geelong Midfield

I think what we have done well is rotate a lot of players through the midfield.

We had our ups and downs in that area of the ground last year, but I felt like our last eight to ten weeks was really strong.

The important part is you are not restricting it to four or five players, the really good teams rotate a number of players through there. Mitch Knevitt is a player we will see a fair bit through there throughout the early parts of the season. 

01:50

First Day Back | First to Fourth Years

Take a look into our first to fourth years first day back ahead of the 2025 season

Dangerfield on 2024 Takeaways

I am not one to spend too much time in the past to be honest, once it is done it is done.

There are things you can learn from it absolutely, but you can't bathe yourself in the disappointment of a game that you can no longer control.

It is moving forward with a new group, that is different to the old one to be frank.

As disappointing as it is, Opening Round isn't going to atone for a Prelim loss. It is a different year with new opportunities.