Dangerfield close to call on AFL move

Adelaide Crows powerbroker Mark Ricciuto is remaining tight-lipped amid speculation star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield will announce on Wednesday he wants to join AFL rivals Geelong.

Ricciuto, an Adelaide board member and one of the club’s greatest players, says there is likely to be announcement “soonish”.

Dangerfield was named in the All Australian side on Tuesday night but has returned to Adelaide for the Crows’ planned end of season function at an inner-city hotel on Wednesday.

Ricciuto was asked if Dangerfield’s expected defection would prove difficult ahead of Adelaide’s club champion award on Saturday night and the Brownlow medal count on Monday night – he could win both awards.

“Potentially it could be like that but lets just wait and see and deal with the facts,” Ricciuto said on his morning radio program on Triple M in Adelaide on Wednesday.

“Hopefully the facts will become a lot more clearer and a lot more definite soonish.

Ricciuto evaded questions about Dangerfield reportedly telling the Crows last month of his decision to seek a move to Geelong.

“I don’t need to be commenting on that at this stage,” he said.

“All this information will come out in due course … there is a lot of stuff being speculated and I will just wait until the actual facts come out.

“It’s a difficult process and a difficult time for lots of people.

“Just back in the football club and be assured that the footy club will do everything they can for whatever situation … there’s lots of things in the air.”

Dangerfield is about to fall off-contract at the Crows and become a restricted free agent, with Geelong reportedly offering the brilliant onballer a long-term contract to join the Cats.

Dangerfield grew up in Moggs Creek near Geelong, where his family still live, and is believed to want to return to the region to be closer to his family.

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