In a remarkable show of team spirit, three Geelong Cats premiership stars are embarking on a whirlwind trip across the globe to support a teammate chasing a piece of Irish sporting history.
A Whirlwind Mission of Support
Captain Patrick Dangerfield, Mark Blicavs, and Jack Henry are jetting off to Ireland this weekend. Their mission is singular: to be in the stands at Dublin's famed Croke Park to cheer on Mark O'Connor as he plays in the All-Ireland Gaelic football final for his hometown club, Dingle.
The trio's commitment is underscored by the brevity of their journey; they will be on the ground in Dublin for less than 60 hours. Despite the gruelling travel schedule during the AFL pre-season, the players declared the opportunity unmissable.
"It really is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of opportunity, so we thought, bugger it, let's do it," Dangerfield told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Friday.
O'Connor's Historic Quest with Dingle
The Geelong Football Club has fully supported O'Connor's dual sporting pursuits, allowing him extra time in Ireland over the off-season. This goodwill has paved the way for a historic moment. O'Connor's club, Dingle, has qualified for its first-ever All-Ireland senior final.
O'Connor has been instrumental in Dingle's fairytale run. Last October, he helped the club secure its first Senior Kerry Championship in 77 years. He then played a key role in a stunning upset victory over Ballyboden St Enda's to book their place in Sunday's decider.
A Club-Wide Celebration
The support for O'Connor extends far beyond the three players making the transcontinental dash. Dangerfield revealed that the Cats have reorganised their training schedule to accommodate a club-wide watch party for the early-hours fixture.
"We've got a contingent in at about 2am, so we've changed our training around it, to be honest," Dangerfield said. "We really see the value in supporting Mark and watching it, whether it's live for us or it's at the club."
For the travelling players, missing one pre-season session was deemed a small price to pay for such a unique occasion. "No, none of us have missed a session. We've been pretty healthy touchwood, but one session isn't going to break the season," Dangerfield affirmed, before adding with a laugh, "Not sure how much running we'll do in Ireland, but we'll check out a few pubs while we're there."
Dangerfield's Croke Park Return
The trip also marks a personal milestone for Dangerfield, representing a return to Croke Park for the first time since 2010. Back then, he represented Australia in the International Rules series under coach Mick Malthouse, playing alongside legends of the game.
Reflecting on the hybrid sport series, which hasn't been played since 2017, Dangerfield expressed a desire for its return. "I'd love to see it back," he said. "As a 20-year-old going over back then... it was a great experience. It was incredible to play with some champions of the game as a young player."
As the final whistle blows in Dublin, the Geelong trio will immediately begin their journey back to Australia, their brief but powerful act of camaraderie complete, and their teammate undoubtedly buoyed by their presence on his biggest day.
