‘Could be it’: AFL champ opens up on future; ‘red flag’ exposed by new rules as tweak looms — Best of 360

Patrick Dangerfield has opened up on his future. Plus the “red flag” with the new ruck rules that might need be tweaked.

Read on for the best of Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night.

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‘THIS COULD BE IT’: DANGERFIELD OPENS UP ON FUTURE

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield has admitted this could be his last season as the veteran prepares to begin his 19th AFL campaign.

Set to turn 36 in April, Dangerfield is coming off a 23-game season — his best return since 2019 as his body was managed more effectively in a forward role.

The 360-gamer says he’s currently keen to play on beyond 2026, but suggested it would largely be determined by his form in the coming months.

“It’s interesting, it’s a bit of wait and see,” Dangerfield said of his future.

“I think it’s important, if you’re going to make the commitment to play on, you’ve still gotta be — not at the peak, I’m realistic of where I’m at — but you’ve gotta be able to impact. And do that over the course of a 26 or 27-week season.

“For me, that isn’t playing every game, that’s listening to the signs of a body approaching 36.

“I think as long as the passion and ability to impact is still there, I’d love to keep playing.

“But that’s not a decision really that will be made from me and the club until very much the back end of the year.

“Because so much can change with players as they get older. Father Time hasn’t had many, if any, losses.”

Dangerfield, who confirmed he was in doubt to begin the season with a calf complaint, said he was in a “unique” position as one of the elder statesmen in the game.

“It’s unique because I’ve never sat in this position. Where it’s like, yeah, this could be it,” he added.

“I’m mindful of just how great the game is and how much fun it is. And making sure the decision is the best one for the club and the direction we’re going and not a selfish one.

“But it’s just so much fun to fun and be a part of that you want to keep enjoying it.”

‘RED FLAG’ WITH RUCK RULES THAT COULD GET TWEAKED

The AFL’s new ruck rules have already exposed a “red flag” that an umpiring great suggested needs to be tweaked.

The polarising new rules, which state rucks can’t cross the centre-circle line nor engage with their opponent, have already been exploited over the pre-season.

There were some instances where the umpire didn’t throw the ball up straight, leading to a ruck drawing their opponent to illegally cross the centre-circle line

There’s also been examples where one ruck has primarily focused on leaping to contest to the footy — as they’re encouraged to — whereas others have stayed down to and tried to manoeuvre their opponent in the air.

But there might be a crack down on a player that interferes with another that’s already left the ground, according to umpiring legend Ray Chamberlain.

“There’s one more watch this space … one player’s sole objective is to contest the football, and the other ruckman’s primary objective was to get rid of his opponent first,” Chamberlain said watching a contest between St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall and Essendon’s Archer May from the clubs’ pre-season clash.

“Currently that is legal, but prior to 2017, that was a free kick for a block. I suspect we’ll see some movement over the year in relation this … I suspect that’s going to need a tweak.”

AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley responded: “If you bumper bar the opposition ruckman who’s left the ground and has no centre of gravity … that’s the red flag at the moment, I reckon.”