Geelong Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield has definitively confirmed he harbours no intentions of retiring at the conclusion of the current AFL season. The decorated midfielder, who is off-contract this year, has expressed a strong desire to extend his tenure with the Cats, provided his on-field performance justifies selection.
Future Plans and Club Commitment
Speaking to the Daily Mail on Thursday, the 35-year-old captain addressed speculation surrounding his future. His comments followed an announcement by Virgin Australia regarding their plan to extend their partnership with the AFL through to 2030. Dangerfield was keen to reassure supporters who feared he might hang up his boots.
'I want to keep playing, I love the club...but as always, it is form dependent,' Dangerfield stated, emphasising his ongoing passion for the game and his commitment to Geelong. He added, 'Footy isn't a daily grind for me, so I'm not in a rush to move on.'
Looking Ahead to the New Season
The playing group has evidently moved on from the disappointment of losing the Grand Final to the Brisbane Lions last September. Dangerfield indicated the team is primed for the challenges ahead, with the countdown to the new season well underway.
'We have put the work in, the countdown is on to go time,' he said, outlining his immediate focus on the upcoming State of Origin match for Victoria in Perth and the club trial against Hawthorn. He also expressed enthusiasm about witnessing pre-season training efforts translate into opportunities for teammates.
A Decorated Career and Recent Adventures
Since joining Geelong from Adelaide in 2016, Dangerfield has cemented his legacy, including a premiership victory in 2022. Many argue his exceptional talent warrants even more success on his sporting resume.
Recently, Dangerfield returned from a memorable trip to Ireland, where he, alongside teammates Mark Blicavs and Jack Henry, supported Cats teammate Mark O'Connor in his Gaelic football final victory with Dingle. Other Geelong stars gathered locally to cheer on O'Connor.
Reflecting on the experience, Dangerfield described it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity', though he noted, 'We spent plenty of time in the air, it wasn't exactly a junket.'
Season Outlook and Premiership Odds
The Cats, currently rated a $9 chance to win the premiership with TAB, are set to open their 2026 campaign on the road against the Gold Coast Suns on March 6. With their captain committed and focused, Geelong will be aiming to build on their pre-season preparations and mount another strong challenge for the flag.
