A leaner Patrick Dangerfield has confirmed he will be wearing the prestigious No.35 guernsey for Victoria in this Saturday's AFL State of Origin battle against Western Australia in Perth. The Geelong champion revealed the news to 7NEWS, ending speculation about who would don the famous number in the representative clash.
Daicos to Wear No.8 as Dangerfield Claims Coveted Guernsey
There had been considerable intrigue surrounding the No.35 jumper, with both Dangerfield and Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos wearing the number for their respective AFL clubs. The 35 holds significant history at Collingwood, where Nick's legendary father Peter Daicos enjoyed a glittering 250-game career in the famous guernsey.
However, Dangerfield told 7NEWS that Daicos won't be getting his hands on the number when Victoria takes on Western Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium. "I think I might've just pinched it," Dangerfield admitted. "I don't think he's going to be too happy with me ... but it's still early in his career. He'll have plenty of State of Origins to play in."
Daicos, who was seen wearing heavy strapping at training on Monday, will instead wear No.8 for the State of Origin clash. The club confirmed the strapping was purely precautionary and there are no injury concerns ahead of Saturday night's match.
Dangerfield's Fitness Transformation and Future Plans
The veteran Geelong star has adopted a lighter approach this pre-season in pursuit of better continuity with his body. This summer marks Dangerfield's 19th pre-season campaign, and he reports having "completed everything so far" which has made a significant difference to his preparation.
"A little bit leaner which is nice," Dangerfield told 7NEWS. "The game doesn't get any less demanding as you get older." The 35-year-old, who will soon move into the top-10 of all-time games played with 360 appearances, said he expects to play mostly forward in 2026.
When asked about retirement and the possibility of chasing 400 games, Dangerfield indicated he would take his time with the decision. "It will certainly be on the back end of the year for me," he said. "And that's just the reality of being a 35 nearly 36-year-old."
Supporting Tanner Bruhn Through Difficult Times
In a heartwarming revelation, Dangerfield shared that he and his family opened their doors to teammate Tanner Bruhn last year during a challenging period. Bruhn returns to the team full-time this year after sexual assault charges, which were subsequently dropped, wiped out his entire 2025 season.
"My kids loved having him around, they see him as a big brother," Dangerfield said of Bruhn. "We're so pumped to have him back, it's such a win for us. He's like a new recruit."
Viney's Injury Setback
In other AFL news, Melbourne star Jack Viney will undergo Achilles surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for at least three months. The injury represents a significant setback for the Demons midfielder as the season approaches.
The AFL State of Origin match between Victoria and Western Australia will be broadcast live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport on February 14 from Perth's Optus Stadium.
