Which clubs are the Crows' main rivals?Fortunately for the Crows, they appear to have only one genuine rival for Dangerfield's services – Geelong.
Although some Melbourne clubs could be prepared to offer Dangerfield up to $1.2 million a season, the Cats aren't about to blow Adelaide out of the water with a deal of Buddy-like proportions, especially when they are seeking to re-sign a star restricted free agent of their own, key forward Tom Hawkins.
Most club sources think the Cats will offer no more than $850,000 a season, but even if Geelong is prepared to offer Dangerfield $1 million a year, one list manager suspects Adelaide is well placed to match it.
AFL.com.au understands the Crows have plenty of room in their salary cap and will have even more if veteran midfielder Scott Thompson retires at the end of this season.
And if the Cats offer Dangerfield a long-term contract of five years or more, the Crows should have no hesitation matching it given Dangerfield is yet to turn 25.
Unfortunately for Adelaide, this is one free agency battle that won't be decided by money or contract length.
If Dangerfield decides to accept an offer from Geelong, it may simply be that the pull of being close to his family in Moggs Creek, 50km down the Great Ocean Road from Geelong, has been too hard to resist.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-18/on-the-move-danger-gameGeelong can easily amass a war-chest for Dangerfield, with its six veterans this year all having $118,380 of their pay packets exempt from the salary cap.
The Cats are also likely to have several high-profile retirees including Corey Enright, with nine Cats 30 or over.
It is understood Dangerfield is keen to see how Adelaide performs this year after missing the finals in 2014, with all Crows players also gauging the progress of new coach Phil Walsh.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-confirm-patrick-dangerfields-father-works-in-clubs-recruiting-team/story-fndv862c-1227224566881
