June 12, 2020
(Rebecca Hosking) 209725_01
Footy’s back! Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerield is set to play his 250th game when the Cats resume their AFL season against arch-enemy Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium tonight. The powerful midielder yesterday responded modestly to coach Chris Scott dubbing him one of the all-time greats that had “transformed” the club. Dangerield said he had only “tried to add my little bit where I can” to an already “incredibly successful club”, and felt “privileged” to play at the Cats. Josh Jenkins, who last year followed Dangerield from Adelaide to Geelong, praised the midielder for his uniqueness, describing him as a “unicorn” in an article for al.com.au Despite the shortened footy season and a lack of crowds for at least the next few matches due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Cats still had a “burning desire” for a premiership, Dangerield said. Geelong plays Hawthorn at 7.50pm tonight. Luke Voogt PATRICK DANGERFIELD
■ Sport:
Page 31
Drug-drivers on notice By Luke Voogt Monthly drug-driving ofences are continuing to increase across Geelong and the Surf Coast, with police catching 24 motorists under the inluence during the long weekend. Geelong Highway Patrol Sergeant Brian McKiterick warned drug-drivers they faced a higher chance of being caught with less traic during COVID-19 restrictions. While traic had decreased, the same amount of police were patrolling roads, he said. hose caught faced signiicant penalties and lengthy licence disqualiications, Sergeant McKiterick said.
“If you’re driving under the inluence of drugs there is a signiicant possibility that you will be detected.” But more importantly, Sergeant McKiterick said, drug-drivers ran the risk of causing a fatal crash. “hat’s something they’ve got to deal with for the rest of their life. “You’re looking at [signiicant] jail terms and, worse, killing or seriously-injuring someone.” Sergeant McKiterick issued the warning as police caught 74 people drug-driving in Geelong and the Surf Coast in May, up from 60 in April. he monthly average pre-COVID-19 was
30-35, Sergeant McKiterick’s superior Senior Sergeant Peter Quick told the Independent last month. Police have also detected more speeding drivers during COVID-19 restrictions. Sergeant McKiterick hoped speeding would decrease as traic increases due to restrictions easing. But increased traic volume could also increase the risk of crashes from dangerous driving, he warned. “Whether you’re driving on a country road or in the city, at the end of the day, it’s the driver’s behaviour that causes the accident.” Fatal and serious-injury crashes are also
increasing ater a drop in April. Geelong and the Surf Coast had 17 serious-injury crashes and three fatal crashes in March, compared to nine and zero respectively in April. In May, the region had 16 serious-injury crashes and a crash at Batesford that killed a 15-year-old boy. Across Geelong and the Surf Coast over the long weekend police detected 242 ofences, compared to 176 in 2019. In Geelong police nabbed 14 drug-drivers, up on ive during Operation Regal last year. Police detected 28 disqualiied or unlicensed drivers, 29 unregistered vehicles and issued 131 speeding ines.
SUBSCRIBE to our DIGITAL EDITION - It's FREE 12443052-LB10-20
Speak to your agent about listing on realestateview.com.au. Be seen everywhere. 12426432-RC35-19