It’s hard to believe now, but Patrick Dangerfield wasn’t always destined to become a star of the AFL competition.

In 2006, Dangerfield was “solid” at the Under-16 National Championships according to coach and former Fitzroy and Victorian rover Leon Harris. The Geelong junior’s performances were enough to secure him a place in Victoria Country’s Under-18 squad the following year – just.

“He was no lay down misere for Vic Country,” Harris said.

When it came time to select the AIS-AFL Academy squad, comprised of the 30 best young players in the country, Dangerfield was on the edge again.

“Patrick was one of the last guys picked. I had to go in very hard and bat for him,” said Harris, who was an assistant coach for the Academy’s tour of South Africa in ‘07’.

“I said everything I could to help get him over the line. His performance at Under-16s level was solid, but we always knew he had huge upside because of his willingness to work.

“I just saw someone who was very driven to succeed. I don’t think things necessarily came easy to him. His work ethic was unbelievable and I loved his sense of humour and ability to engage people around him.

“I thought he was potentially a good one.”

Harris has been on the receiving end of Dangerfield’s quirky sense of humour and passion for impersonations, which he demonstrated on national television last year.

“I coached Vic Country at the Under-16 National Championships and we had a Red Faces night,” Harris said.

“Patty did an act taking me off. I had tears rolling down my face and so did everyone else in the room. It was just hilarious. He took the mickey out of me quite openly and I gave him 10/10.

“He’s just got a fantastic, outgoing personality.”

It was playing for the AIS-AFL team that the Crows recruiters sat up and took notice of Dangerfield. Two moments stick in the mind of National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie.

“The AIS-AFL team played a game against West Perth in Perth ... and got absolutely monstered. They were so intimidated playing against men. Patty Dangerfield and Daniel Rich were the exceptions. They were the only ones who handled playing the bigger bodies,” Ogilvie said.

“The AIS also played another game against Swan Districts at Leederville Oval. I can remember the game vividly … there was this kid, Dangerfield, just running with the ball up and down the wing. Matty Rendell and I looked at each other, smiled and started laughing.

“From that moment on, we knew we wanted to pick Patty if we had the chance.”

Read more from Dangerfield’s Recruiting File

Dangerfield was good in ‘07’ without being outstanding. At 17-years-old, he was nearly 12 months younger than some of his opponents and under current draft rules (the age has since been lifted to 18) wouldn’t have been eligible to be drafted that year.

But he showed enough glimpses of potential for Adelaide to take him with pick No.10 in the AFL National Draft. In six seasons since, Dangerfield has established himself as one of the premier players in the competition.

Last year, he earned his first All-Australian crown, finished seventh in the Brownlow Medal and runner-up in the Crows Club Champion award. He’s deputy vice-captain at Adelaide and on Saturday will line-up in his 100^th AFL game (and 61^st in succession).

“Given the opportunity, Patty’s done exceptionally well,” Harris said.

 “You hope they can forge a great career and make a living out of footy. Some players enter the AFL system and get spat out after a couple of years. I knew Patty wouldn’t be in that category, but to get to the heights he’s reached is just reward for the work he puts in.

“I always say to the players, ‘You haven’t made it until you’ve played 100 games, so I guess he’s about ready to make it.”

Get captain Nathan van Berlo’s thoughts on Danger’s development at Adelaide