Patrick Dangerfield storms between Matthew Broadbent and Chad Wingard during Showdown XXXIV at AAMI Stadium. Picture: Reed Sarah Source: The Advertiser
"IF you keep going for the ball head first, you'll get it knocked off." That's what I hear from people in the street, in the media and at the football club.
AFL can be a violent sport, accidents will happen and head clashes will occur.
I've certainly copped my share of heavy knocks, including the one which briefly floored me in Showdown XXXIV - courtesy of one of Ollie Wines' broad shoulders.
I won't lie. He is a big boy and hit me hard.
I was dazed and my nose was bloodied.
But not for one minute did the incident make me think twice about the way I play the game.
I only know one way. That's to go flat-out!
I don't have gears and I never want to be accused of going half-hearted or shirking a contest.
Since the day I began playing footy at home and school, with Anglesea as a junior and with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup under-18 competition, I have always played my footy the same way.
I put my head down and I concentrate solely on the ball.
My only objective is to get my hands on the Sherrin and help my team kick goals.
My dad, John, coached me for most of my junior footy career and his message was simple: "Go and win your own ball, Patrick."
Keeping your head down and concentrating is important in any sport.
If a batsman in cricket lifts his head he will usually be dismissed. If a golfer doesn't keep his head over the ball he will miss the putt.
There are similar examples in most sports. But keeping your head down is particularly relevant in the AFL.
If the ball's in dispute, you have to do your best to win it.
In many respects I would admit I am lucky to have inherited my mum and dad's attitude to playing sport.
Even my sister, Bethany, when playing in her local netball competition, plays her matches with a fierce desire and intensity.
Last Sunday's Showdown was a game of the highest intensity.
South Australian footy bragging rights were on the line, with all players fighting tooth and nail for a victory against the hometown rival.
Contested possession was at a premium and players were willing to run through a brick wall to get at the ball.
With congestion around the clearances at an all-time high, the physicality inside the contest was immense.
My nose would attest to that, courtesy of Wines.
But the knock doesn't faze me. It is almost worn as a badge of honour.
When I think of opposition players I love watching compete, the names Joel Selwood (Geelong), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane) and Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) quickly spring to mind.
I wonder how they would have fared if they didn't possess the "win-the-ball-at-all-costs" mindset that my dad instilled in me.
It is the same mentality I will instil in my son if he decides to play football.
Like most footballers, I am always trying to improve my game, whether it's kicking, tackling or some other skill.
But I will never alter my style of play and attack at the ball and the contest.
I know I might have to adjust to new rules and interpretations but my fundamentals will remain the same - hunt the ball or hunt the opponent who has the ball.
I wouldn't be the same player if I didn't have that attitude.
No one likes getting hurt on a football field but the price of a headache or a concussion is worthwhile when the club song is sung after a game.
It would be especially sweet on grand final day.
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