Dangerfield thinking of Trengove
A six-goal performance by Patrick Dangerfield suggests the young Crow has recovered well after the controversial tackle by Jack Trengove
ADELAIDE midfielder Patrick Dangerfield says he's disappointed young Melbourne star Jack Trengove received a three-match ban for a tackle which left him concussed last weekend.
Trengove pinned Dangerfield's arms, leaving the Crows onballer unable to protect his head when he was slung to the ground.
The 21-year-old was helped to the interchange bench by trainers and took no further part in the game.
The Demons challenged Trengove's controversial suspension at the AFL Tribunal and also at the AFL Appeals Board, but failed to have the charge overturned.
Having recovered from the knock, Dangerfield was cleared to take his place in the team to play Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, and after the game revealed he had sympathy for Trengove.
"I was pretty disappointed with it [the match review panel's decision], to be honest," Dangerfield said.
"I can't really remember the incident itself, but looking back on the replay I thought it was within the rules of play.
"It's disappointing for Jack and I feel for him that he can't play for the next three weeks."
Dangerfield was only given the green light to play against the Suns on the morning of the game, but showed no lingering effects of the concussion on Saturday afternoon.
The dynamic ball-winner split his time between the midfield and forward line, finishing the day with 23 disposals (13 contested) and a career-best six goals in the club's 57-point win.
The haul eclipsed his previous personal-best return of five goals in Adelaide's loss to the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium in round two last season.
However, he revealed it wasn't his biggest bag in a football game.
"I hit double-digits (10) once playing for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup," he said.
"But it's certainly the best return I've had so far in the AFL."
The Crows tried to isolate Dangerfield one-out against rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt in the first quarter, but the plan backfired when the home team struggled to get the ball inside 50m in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
He was injected into the centre square in the second term and had an immediate impact, amassing nine possessions and kicking two goals for the quarter.
His most memorable goal came at the six-minute mark of the third term.
Dangerfield got the ball at half-forward, brushed aside a would-be tackler in Gold Coast defender Steven May and took off on one of his trademark runs.
He took a bounce, but instead of rebounding back into his hands, the ball jumped up sharply hitting him flush in the face.
Undeterred by the awkward bounce, Dangerfield got a wobbly kick away and slotted his third goal.