Danger signs at star’s homecoming clinic

THE Anglesea Football Netball Club welcomed Brownlow Medallist Patrick Dangerfield home to Ellimatta Reserve as the Geelong superstar delivered a special footy clinic.

As part of Red Energy’s campaign to send AFL and NRL stars back to their hometowns, the former Roos junior ran a skills and drills clinic along with the senior football and netball players from the club and got involved in different stations around the ground including tackling, kicking goals, bumping and handballing.

Junior players were then given the opportunity to mingle and get autographs and photos with the 293-game veteran.

Dangerfield looked visibly excited to be back where his football career all started.

“It’s amazing to be back down here again at the club and seeing all the up-and-coming stars of the club being put through their paces by the senior football and netball players,” he said.

“It all starts at the grassroots with clinics like this and it is absolutely fundamental to the development of any club.

“Anglesea holds a very dear spot in my heart, there is certainly something very special about the club, the people and the area and I love being around it all.”

When asked about the 2022 season at Geelong, Dangerfield said his team was well poised coming into the back end of the year and the Cats hoped to go deep into the finals again.

He even hinted at pulling on the boots again for the Roos one day, but felt he still had plenty of gas left in the tank in his AFL career.

Anglesea president Jamie McKenzie was thrilled to have Dangerfield back at home at Ellimatta Reserve, citing his appearance as a boost to the club’s junior development program.

“It was amazing to have Patrick back down at the club on Thursday to show all the juniors the pathway up to the big time.

“He’s been a huge part of this club for a long time, and we love that he is always keen to come back and help back at the grassroots.

“He’s still got plenty of his family and friends who are a part of the club and we hope that continues.

“Maybe he can pull the Roos colours back on in a couple of years!”

Red Energy also donated $1,000 to the Roos to support their junior player development program.