The Cats will now have a double act of elite midfielders working in and around the stoppages in 2016, according to Champion Data’s latest rankings.

A recent Herald Sun report utilising Champion Data statistics sees Geelong rank third overall when assessing midfield depth and quality, with the recruitment of Patrick Dangerfield giving the Cats a much-needed second elite-ranked midfielder.

Dangerfield joins skipper Joel Selwood in the elite category in a one-two punch that is hoped to be the envy of the competition – whilst on-ballers Mitch Duncan, Cameron Guthrie and Josh Caddy all rate as above average.

An elite midfielder is categorised as the top 10% of midfielders in the AFL. Above average is classed as the top 35%.

Sydney sits atop the overall midfield rankings thanks to the quality of their best six midfielders, however rank 15^th in terms of depth quality. The Swans have Josh P. Kennedy as their only elite midfielder.

Fremantle come in at second with the best top six midfielders in the competition and rank highly in terms of overall midfield depth at fourth. The Dockers have Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Harley Bennell as their three elite midfielders.