WHEN PATRICK Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood lined up in the centre square for the first bounce against Hawthorn on Easter Monday, there was a high probability that one of the star Geelong trio would get his hands on the footy.

As it turned out, all three of them did.

Cats skipper Selwood fed the ball out to Dangerfield who engineered a one-two with Ablett before pumping the ball – in unconvincing fashion, it must be said – with his left foot towards half-forward.

There are no surprises that Dangerfield has a habit of being involved in the first play of the game, even though he wasn't directly credited with the first clearance of the match against the Hawks (Selwood was) by Champion Data.

According to the stats leader, Dangerfield, the 2016 Brownlow medallist, is ranked equal-third in the AFL for starting a match with the first clearance of a game.

The explosive midfielder has achieved that feat seven times, behind North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell who has won the first clearance in a match on a League-high nine occasions since the start of 2016. 

First clearances in a match since R1, 2016

Dangerfield is also No.2 in the AFL for winning a clearance – defined by the first effective disposal (or knock-on) of the chain that leaves the stoppage area – to start a quarter. 

Only Sydney captain Josh Kennedy (34), a clearance bull himself, has had more clearances to start a quarter than Dangerfield (33). 

West Coast's Luke Shuey (28), Patrick Cripps (26) and Luke Parker (25) are also highly ranked for winning the first clearances of a quarter.

First clearances in a quarter since R1, 2016

Returning from a hamstring injury he suffered against Essendon in the JLT Community Series in Colac on March 11, Dangerfield's lack of match practice and conditioning did not seem to affect him too greatly.

While Hawthorn's Tom Mitchell quite rightly earned plaudits for his best-afield performance against the so-called 'Holy Trinity', Dangerfield's influence early in the game is a prime example of a player coming to play.

The Cats midfielder had 10 disposals in the first term, with five or six of those coming in the first 10 minutes of the game, and almost dragged his side over the line with an inspired effort in the final quarter as Geelong launched a comeback that fell one point short.

Next time you get a chance to watch Geelong play, watch for the No.35 being proactive at the first bounce and putting himself in positions to win the football to help get his team off to a flying start.

Stats supplied by Champion Data