Former Geelong star Paul Chapman says reigning Brownlow Medalist Patrick Dangerfield should play a different role for the Cats in 2017 for the betterment of the team.
The 2009 Norm Smith Medalist and three-time premiership player for Geelong says despite Dangerfield blitzing the field in the middle of the ground last season, he should be used as a forward this season.
“For the team, and the side’s premiership push, I reckon he’d be better used as a forward,” Chapman said on SEN.
“As a permanent, or semi-permanent forward, he’d kick two or three goals a game and end up being a 50-plus goalkicker."
Chapman believes the move would have a positive effect on the rest of the team, which would result in the club's younger midfielders stepping up, while the forward line would greatly benefit from his strength, speed and goal nous.
“The flow-on effect of that would be it would help out Tom Hawkins and give other guys like Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie, Scott Selwood and Sam Menegola a chance to take more responsibility through the midfield alongside Joel Selwood," he said.
"It would also allow a player like Steven Motlop to move up onto the ball more during games and use his run and skill as an outside option.
“As great as ‘Danger’ was last year I think some guys were intimidated by his presence to a degree and went back into their shells.
“You’d rather him get it (ball) 20 times and kick two or three goals as a forward than get 35-40 times in the midfield.
“As elite as he is field kicking isn’t a huge strength so that can be detrimental at times playing though the middle.
“But if you’re talking tools needed to be a successful mid-sized forward then you’re looking at him and saying there isn’t one he doesn’t have."
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