Geelong v Richmond: Did Patrick Dangerfield stage for a free kick?

Tom Naghten

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Geelong v Richmond: Did Patrick Dangerfield stage for a free kick? image

Staging has been a hot topic in the AFL ever since Alex Rance was fined for this effort two weeks ago.

Up against Rance's Tigers at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield drew the ire of opposition fans who felt he exaggerated some Dustin Martin contact.

Dangerfield hit the deck after Martin pushed off him in a crucial contest last in the third quarter with seven points separating the sides.

The umpire awarded a free kick to the Cats star, stopping a promising attack from Richmond.

Check out the video below.

Geelong kicked the next goal to take the sides into the final break with just one point between them.

Social media lit up with reaction to what many felt was a dive from the 2016 Brownlow medallist.

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The man he presented Charlie to last year also appeared to give him an earful for the display.







More may have come of the incident had Geelong run off with the game, but Richmond kicked away in the final quarter.

Damien Hardwick's side claimed the four points with an 18-point win to take them to the top of ladder after 13 rounds.

Both these sides now head into the bye before Richmond host Sydney and Geelong take on Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in round 15.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.