Patrick Dangerfield injury: Geelong superstar 'plays up injuries', says Kane Cornes

James Pavey

Patrick Dangerfield injury: Geelong superstar 'plays up injuries', says Kane Cornes image

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield went down with what appeared to be a painful ankle injury - but Kane Cornes wasn't convinced.

Dangerfield was helped from the field during Geelong's 44-point win over Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

In clear discomfort on the bench, Dangerfield was later seen on crutches after the game.

When quizzed on Dangerfield's status after the game, Geelong coach Chris Scott told reporters the injury was minor, and the player's reaction was "all part of the Danger show".

DANGER: Patrick Dangerfield rolls ankle in win over Bulldogs

Speaking on Nine's Sunday Footy Show, Cornes claimed Dangerfield's reactions also triggered former teammates and coaches in his time in Adelaide.

"It was a fact that his teammates at Adelaide were frustrated and his coach was frustrated that he played for injuries and played up injuries," Cornes said.

"It's not the first time we’ve seen it. We saw it when he went off against Hawthorn... come back on and be the matchwinner.

"Earlier this year, against Essendon, he limped off, looked like he was done for the day with a knee, came straight back on minutes later."

Who knows if Dangerfield has a low pain threshold - but it hasn't stopped Cornes from having a crack before.

Patrick Dangerfield

After Dangerfield suffered a lower left leg injury in the first quarter against Hawthorn in 2017, only to return and boot five majors, Cornes raised the Adelaide story again.

"He does exaggerate injuries. In his time at Adelaide, his teammates had to sit him down and say, 'Look, you do carry on a little bit with your injuries'," Cornes said at the time.

"And he does [carry on], so I'd be surprised if he missed with that injury yesterday."

While conceding Dangerfield may still miss games, Cornes still believes the Brownlow Medal winner has to stop "playing up" injuries.

 

"When the ball is there, he’s one of the toughest players in the competition," Cornes said.

"But for a superstar he has to get this out of his game. It must be frustrating his teammates.

"He will be fine, he might miss against the Gold Coast. He plays for injuries and it’s frustrating. He plays up the injury, he plays it up.

"He should miss because he’s been complaining of injuries for the last three weeks. You play Gold Coast, you’re on top of the ladder, you win anyway. So it’d rest him.

“For one of the toughest players I have ever seen when the ball is there, it’s not a good look. He needs to get that out of his game."

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo