AFL news 2021, Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong vs Essendon, Nick Riewoldt, Zach Tuohy

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has heaped praise on Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield for his dominant “flex” performance in Saturday night’s 41-point win over Essendon.

Dangerfield has been criticised for being below his best form in recent weeks as he works his way back to full fitness from ankle surgery that sidelined him for two months.

But the gun midfielder got back to his usual elite heights against the Bombers – racking up a season-high 37 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 685 metres gained and eight inside 50s, also taking 11 marks and booting one goal.

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It helped guide Geelong to its 11th win for the season to solidify a position in the top four.

Dangerfield racked up a season-high 37 disposals against the Bombers (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)Source: Getty Images

Speaking on Fox Footy post-match, Riewoldt said he thought the wet conditions at GMHBA Stadium suited Dangerfield to a tee.

“I reckon a lot of players driving in tonight and the rain is absolutely teeming down would’ve thought: “Really? Do I have to go out in that?” The Saints legend said.

“What the situation dished up tonight for Patrick Dangerfield suited him perfectly for a flex game. It felt like he was flexing a bit tonight.”

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Riewoldt doesn’t believe critics doubted Dangerfield could get back to his best but scapegoated him from Geelong’s poor performance in last week’s loss to Brisbane.

“Not doubting him in the long-term sense, but just the fact that he’s been off to a bit of a slow start and a poor performance as a team last week, you go to the big names and you go for the underperforming big names and he responded like a champion does,” Riewoldt said.

“It’s not underperforming by other people’s standards, it’s underperforming by his standards, which are very, very high.

“He doesn’t get credit enough for his bravery in the air and on the ground. He’s a very brave player.”

Cats teammate Zach Tuohy also lauded Dangerfield post-match, saying “’Danger’ firing on two cylinders is better than most of us firing on six.”

“It’s nonsense isn’t it. You have a generational player who most players aspire to be as good as this bloke is on a bad day,” Tuohy told Fox Footy.

“But when you’re in his level you do tend to cop criticism when you’re not at your absolute best. But Danger firing on two cylinders is better than most of us firing on six.”

Playing more through the midfield, Dangerfield told Fox Fox Footy post-match he felt like he was getting back to full fitness.

“It’s just time to get back into the swing of things and get that rhythm of match play,” he said.

“You can’t just come back from a decent stint off and then just run AFL patterns straight away, it takes time.”