Patrick Dangerfield reveals ploy to lure free agent Luke Dahlhaus to Geelong

James Pavey

Patrick Dangerfield reveals ploy to lure free agent Luke Dahlhaus to Geelong image

Patrick Dangerfield admitted he has tried to persuade close mate Luke Dahlhaus to join Geelong.

Dahlhaus is an unrestricted free agent and told current club Western Bulldogs last week that he intends to continue his career elsewhere from next season.

Reports in May suggested Dahlhaus was a recruiting target for the Cats, and in the wake of their loss to Melbourne in Friday night's elimination final, Geelong will be eyeing off some changes for 2019.

Last month, it was reported Dahlhaus had reportedly agreed a deal to join Geelong on a four-year deal worth around $500,000 per season.

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Dahlhaus will be able to sign with the club of his choice when the free agency period opens on October 5, and Dangerfield revealed he did what he could to get the 2016 premiership winner to the Cattery.

"I'm relatively close to Luke... I have spoken to him at different stages throughout the season," Dangerfield told 3AW on Saturday.

"I won't lie about that... I think Luke would be a wonderful player to potentially get into our side.

"There's still a bit of work to play out before that could happen."


 

Considering Geelong looked lethargic inside their forward-50 on Friday night - at half-time, the Cats had laid just one forward-50 tackle compared to the Demons' 16 - Dahlhaus would be a handy pick-up.

With all the hype around Dangerfield-Joel Selwood-Gary Ablett midfield, a punchy Dahlhaus moving quickly up the guts could be the spark Geelong need to make a genuine bid for the premiership in 2019.

Regardless of the disappointing exit at the hands of the Demons, Dangerfield said Geelong is good enough to be competitive next season, but they need determination to get through the year - something a hungry Dahlhaus could provide.

"I think Geelong's best football is well and truly good enough to have us competing again next year," Dangerfield said.

"We'll own the loss, we'll be respectful of it. We haven't been good enough this year, but we have a really strongly determined group to improve," Dangerfield said.

"It burns because we've got a pre-season and another whole season to try and put ourselves in another position to compete... this group's capable of it."

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo