Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield is set to join membership to an exclusive AFL club as he takes to the field against Brisbane on Friday night.

Once the former Crow crosses the white line of the GMHBA Stadium turf, Dangerfield will become just the 25th player in V/AFL history to play 350 games.

It cements Dangerfield's legacy for his longevity and professionalism as an AFL athlete, as the Cats skipper continues to influence Geelong's starting 22 each week, whether it be through his power and burst from stoppage, or his one-on-one contest and forward craft inside the 50m arc.

The 2016 Brownlow medallist is in his 18th season, and 10th at Geelong following a lengthy initial stint in South Australia, and is once again a key pillar to the navy blue and white's ambitions for a second premiership this decade.

Reflecting on his career, which will continue into 2026, Dangerfield said his time at the top flight has flown by.

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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats during the 2024 AFL Round 2 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"(350 games) means a long time in the game, but it feels like only yesterday to be honest," Dangerfield said.

"It is a privilege to play in the competition. I remember game one, and 18 years later, it is pretty special.

"It is even more special to play it in a place like this, to enjoy the environment as much as I have. We are going to really enjoy it as a family and as a club."

On becoming just the 25th player to reach the significant milestone, Dangerfield lauded the AFL system and club organisations for creating a rewarding environment.

AFL 2015 Rd 10 - Carlton v Adelaide
Image: AFL Media.

"I think it speaks to the organisation and the environment that is being created, that players want to hang around," Dangerfield said.

"They want to enjoy the environment and squeeze everything out of their career. It is not necessarily the game that catches up with you mentally, but it is more your body physically failing you.

"I think that is a great spot to be in, the moment that we are burning our players out mentally because they have had enough of the game, that is when we need to reflect on what we are doing. That hasn't been the case for us at all, certainly over my time in the game.

"It has been a place of great joy, and that is through times when there is really solid disappointment, but we don't live in that space for too long, and we focus on what's next.

"I think that's why we have players playing as long as they do."

Round 12 Team of the Week
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats celebrates a goal with Gary Ablett of the Cats during the 2019 AFL round 12 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 07, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Multiple veterans have continued to play beyond their prime years and reached staggering games-played feats, as the likes of Scott Pendlebury (414 games as of Round 14), Steele Sidebottom (343), and Travis Boak (378) have remained influential on-field despite their age, while Jack Darling (311) and Luke Parker's (306) decision to change clubs at the end of last season has ensured they extend their playing careers as far as possible.

The eight-time All-Australian joins former Cats teammates Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins and Gary Ablett Jr as players to play 350 games or more, as well as former Crow Eddie Betts.

 Friday, June 20 
Brisbane WON BY 41 POINTS
GMHBA Stadium
GEEL   
51
FT
92
   BL