The Cats have a wealth of options to replace Joel Selwood, who left Geelong as the longest-serving captain the AFL has ever seen.
But despite Dangerfield nearing the end of his playing days at 32 years of age and making just 15 regular season appearances in 2022, the Brownlow Medallist is Russell’s tip to succeed Selwood.
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“I would put Patrick Dangerfield in for two years, that’s what I’d do. I think he doesn’t mind facing the media, ” the award-winning commentator said on
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“If Tom Stewart wants it, then absolutely give it to him but I'm still of the belief that a midfielder is a better guy to have the captaincy than a key defender, I’ve always thought that.
“So that brings Mitch Duncan into play as well, so I’d be more inclined to give it to Dangerfield, even just for one year.
“I don’t mind if it's not a long-term captain. He’s the next guy in the link and it’s not going to affect anyone else in terms of their own preparation.
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Dangerfield has never held a full-time captaincy role at the top level but is the president of the AFL Players’ Association. A well-spoken individual in the media, Dangerfield was also tipped for the captaincy at Adelaide before moving to Geelong at the end of 2015.
“When I was coaching the Crows I thought he would be the future captain of Adelaide, I thought he and Rory Sloane, when I was there, showed exceptional leadership for young men in their early 20s, ” former Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson told
“He’s certainly been there long enough now to know everything about the club and the way it operates. A Brownlow Medallist at Geelong, he’d be a fantastic choice as well.
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“But I think personally, and I know Danger pretty well, I think he’s better when he focuses on his own game and just does what he needs to do… but like I said, he showed exceptional leadership qualities for a player in his young 20s when I coached him at the Crows.”
Dangerfield was managed at times in 2022 but peaked at the right time, arguably unlucky not to take home the Norm Smith Medal in his second Grand Final appearance.
Stewart, a four-time All-Australian, is among Geelong’s most important structural players and Cleary believes he’s been shaping as the club’s next captain for the past year.
Photograph Of Geelong Football Club's Four A.n.f.c. Carnival Representatives, 1969
“I’d have Tom Stewart as the favourite there, but it has been a bit of a push for Mark Blicavs, ” Cleary told
“But Paddy Dangerfield… in terms of the off-field and commercial aspects, there’s so much more than just an on-field captain that goes into it, I think he has to be a consideration as well, I think they’d be the podium right now.
“But Tom Stewart has been the heir-apparent for Joel Selwood for probably the best part of 12 months now, but it wouldn’t shock me for Paddy Dangerfield.”
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Despite the temptation to remain on at Geelong, Selwood has shacked up with the Melbourne Storm as a leadership coach for 2023.Dangerfield becomes the Cats’ 54th VFL/AFL captain and its first new captain in 12 seasons, succeeding the Club and AFL’s longest-ever serving Captain, Joel Selwood.
Dangerfield and Stewart were co-vice captains in 2022, a position Dangerfield has held since 2017 having been included in the Club’s leadership team upon his arrival at the Cattery one year earlier.
Club captaincy is the latest addition to Dangerfield’s list of achievements. Since 2016 when he returned home to Moggs Creek and joined the team that he grew up supporting, he has become a Brownlow Medallist, a three-time Carji Greeves Medallist, a Leigh Matthews Trophy winner, an AFLCA Player of the Year winner, and as of 2022, a Premiership Player.
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Across the course of his career, Dangerfield has earned eight All Australian blazers and been named vice captain of the All-Australian team in 2018, and captain in 2020.
His leadership within the broader AFL industry has been widely recognised for many years, and he has served as President of the AFL Players’ Association since 2018.
Stewart’s leadership was recognised similarly quickly following his addition to the Cats’ AFL list. He made his AFL debut in 2017 and joined the Cat’s leadership team not two years later ahead of the 2019 season.
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Widely recognised as the general of the Cat’s defence and among the best defenders of his generation, Stewart has earned All-Australian honours in four out of his six years in the competition and was the 2021 Carji Greeves Medallist.
The Cats have named their leaders following a selection process that included consultations with Cats players, General Manager of Football Simon Lloyd, Senior Coach Chris Scott, and Cats CEO Steve Hocking before the appointments were ratified by the Board.
The Cats have chosen to appoint the positions of captain and vice captain in its designated player leadership group for the second consecutive year, however the leadership responsibilities for the team are shared and fulfilled by a broad group of senior and emerging leaders within the squad.
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Senior Coach Chris Scott noted how both Dangerfield’s and Stewart’s leadership had been formative for the playing group and the entire Club.
“Pat and Tom are wonderful representatives of a group of players who know what it takes to unlock excellence at the highest level of our sport. The likes of Tom Hawkins, Cam Guthrie, Mitch Duncan, Mark Blicavs – these people are just the latest generation of players who model what we aspire to be as a Club. Pat and Tom and the entire playing group know they have their support, and we all know how fortunate we are to have them at our Club, ” Scott said.
“When Pat arrived, he influenced our Club for the better, on the field but most significantly off it. He has and will always strive to positively influence our people and our culture, which is ever evolving. He’s found a way to embody who we want to be as a football department.”
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“As hard as Tom is on field, is as hard as he works off it. To make himself, his team, and his Club better. He’s incredibly well respected by everyone who knows him, plays with him, and plays on him. And that respect is well-earned.”
“I love walking into this football club every day. We have fun and we work hard. Playing for the Cats has been everything I dreamed it would be since I was a little kid. To continue to represent Geelong, and the players, the Club, and the community who make it great – many of whom I’ve aspired to be like my whole life – is an honour, ” Dangerfield said.
“I’m incredibly lucky to be part of a group of players who push each other to great heights and support each other in all things. Together as one in hoops we’re excited to see where the next chapter in our journey takes us.”
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In speaking on his appointment as vice captain, Stewart noted the support he’d been given to expand his leadership in recent years.
“Being in this role over the last five years is something that I’ve really treasured, and to continually grow and develop in this capacity is something that I’m really proud of, ” Stewart said.
“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. We know what we want to achieve. It’s going to take a hell of a lot of work, but we’re really excited for what’s ahead.”
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Geelong will head to Queensland for its practice match against the Brisbane Lions on at 7.10pm, Thursday 2 March at Brighton Homes Arena.
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