Suspension arguably cost Patrick Dangerfield his second Brownlow Medal but it didn't stop him from claiming another 'Carji' Greeves medal as the Geelong superstar became the 12th player in Cats history to win consecutive best and fairest awards.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dangerfield era is yet to deliver Geelong a grand final era, however there can be little doubt about the midfielder's brilliance after another dominant campaign in the hoops. Dangerfield played all bar one game, missing the late-season loss to Sydney because his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer. He finished the season with 718 disposals and career-high 45 goals to again play a major role in Geelong's run to the preliminary final. He finished the year with 33 Brownlow votes following his medal-winning haul of 35 the previous year, and claimed the best and fairest on Thursday night with 240 votes, to finish 17.5 votes clear of runner-up Mitch Duncan. It was Duncan's best finish in the award after his third-place effort in 2014.
Dangerfield's ever-expanding resume now includes three best and fairest awards in a row, with his two Geelong gongs following his 2015 Malcolm Blight medal in his final year as an Adelaide Crows player. He is also a five-time All-Australian, was named the AFL Players Association's most valuable player last year, and has represented Australia in International Rules.
Defender Zach Tuohy capped a stellar first year with Geelong since his move from Carlton to finish third with 219.5 votes, while captain Joel Selwood came fourth with 213.5 votes despite missing four games, and first-year backman Tom Stewart finished fifth on 195.
The success of Geelong's recruiting from other clubs in recent seasons was evident in the finishes of Dangerfield, Tuohy, Lachie Henderson and Zac Smith, all of whom joined the Cats from other clubs and finished in the top 10. Journeyman Sam Menegola was rewarded for a strong second season as a Cat by finishing sixth, while defender Jed Bews was also recognised for his breakout season, finishing ninth.
Livewire Steven Motlop, who is expected to leave the Cats in coming weeks, finished outside the top 10, as did out-of-contract forward Daniel Menzel.
Stewart was also named the club's best young player, while Selwood's younger brother Scott won two awards: the Tom Harley award as best clubman, and the Community Champion award for his work with the Barwon Health foundation as well as several other Cats community initiatives.
Top 10 'Carji' Greeves Medal
Patrick Dangerfield (240)
Mitch Duncan (225.5)
Zach Tuohy (219.5)
Joel Selwood (213.5)
Tom Stewart (195)
Sam Menegola (194)
Lachie Henderson (190)
Zac Smith (188)
Jed Bews (187)
Harry Taylor (186.5)
Other award winners
VFL Best & Fairest: James Tsitas
VFLW Best & Fairest: Lily Mithen
Tom Harley Award (best clubman): Scott Selwood
Best Young Player: Tom Stewart
Community Champion: Scott Selwood
