As if Patrick Dangerfield needed any extra advantage.
The dynamic 2016 Brownlow medallist and early favourite for this year's award has been a major beneficiary of the AFL's new 6-6-6 rule, according to Geelong coach Chris Scott.
Dangerfield gathered a team-best 32 possessions, game-highs of 12 inside 50s and 10 clearances and surely three Brownlow votes in the top-of-the-table Cats' 24-point victory over Adelaide on Thursday night.
And he's off: Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has a field day against the Crows at Adelaide Oval.Credit:AAP
Dangerfield's swashbuckling, dashing 60m goal in the third quarter straight out of a centre bounce was the showpiece example of a dream rule fitting a certain player type.
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"I think it (rule) helps those guys," Scott said.
"That was forecast with Dustin Martin, Pat and players like that with power.
"I'm an advocate for it, but that doesn't really mean much."
With fewer players floating in the defensive area, the new regulation also appears to have afforded veteran superstar Gary Ablett renewed freedom at half-forward.
"Our observation is, with the new rules in particular, there's a few more one-on-one battles in the forward half," Scott said.
"A few of the really good players in the competition must be thinking, 'Why didn't we bring this rule in a while ago?'
"Some of the good players were getting clamped by plus two or three, behind the ball at centre bounces.
"Players who can win contests ahead of the ball are more valuable than they used to be.
"His experience did show through."
The only downside for the Cats were injuries to classy midfielder Tim Kelly (ankle) and hard-running Mark O'Connor (cork) but both are expected to push their case to be available against GWS next Saturday.
Ankle concern: Tim Kelly will have to prove his fitness this week.Credit:AAP
"His ankle is a bit sore," Scott said of Kelly.
"This is such a simplistic way of looking at it, and I suspect the medical staff don't like me speaking this way, but it appeared as if he could have gone back on late and we chose not to.
"I interpret that as a good sign."
"O'Connor got a really bad cork in a nasty spot."
The news was far worse for the Crows, with speedster Paul Seedsman suffering a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament after his his left knee hyper-extended in the closing minutes.
Following Tom Doedeee in the season opener against Hawthorn and Erin Phillips and Chloe Scheer in last Sunday's AFLW graRead More – Source
