Of course, Dangerfield’s calves may also be a factor. He could not wear the orange socks his teammates wore as part of a campaign in 2018, as they could not be pulled over the young bulls sitting at the back of his leg.

However, the immediacy of the Cats champion’s response showed the child within even the greatest of footballers as they live out their dreams in a professional game.

With the baton likely to pass to Miller – the youngest of the eight – it’s remarkable to think such a long-standing football tradition to pull your socks up rests with an expansion club.

Arms out, fair question Andrews

It’s the adage lawyers live by: don’t ask a question if you don’t know the answer.

Brisbane defender Harris Andrews might not have legal training, but we suspect he knows the phrase. He threw a question to one of Snap Shot’s heroes, @sirswampthing, on Monday night, quizzing the stats guru on which current player may have given away at least one free kick in the most successive games.

Of course Sir Swamp did not let Andrews down, relaying the fact Andrews’ Lions teammate Zac Bailey has now given away at least one free kick in 23 consecutive games.

Given that Andrews and another teammate, Darcy Gardiner, gave away six frees between them in round 11, Snap Shot is betting Andrews was engaging in a touch of whataboutism that might keep Bailey quiet, and we can’t blame him.

Mid-season stitch-ups

Nick Winmar was drafted to St Kilda with pick 32 in 2009 and played two AFL games in 2011 when the Saints were still strong, before being delisted at the end of 2012.

So, it’s no wonder he was surprised, at 31, to see his name in the pool of 211 mid-season draft prospects.

His investigation as to which mate had stitched him up had amounted to nothing as the more than handy ex-Claremont and Sydney University speedster joked the dream might be reignited on Wednesday night.

We’re uncertain whether his current club, University in the Perth Football League, has been inundated with requests to see vision of his latest form. But anyone looking for a 31-year-old with AFL experience and a sense of humour could do worse.

King Panos

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While we’re talking of veterans who had a taste of the AFL, the performance of former Bulldog Marty Panos for Norwood on Friday night is worth a mention.

Panos was returning from a knee injury suffered in August 2020, meaning he had not played SANFL seniors for 628 days. He kicked four goals including the match-winner that helped the Redlegs, coached by Jade Rawlings, to regain the lead against the Adelaide Crows.

“The King is back” was all that was said in the rooms after the match after one of the game’s more remarkable returns.

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