After spending most of the day on the interchange, Haynes kicked West Coast's final goal for the game, putting his (old) side ahead by two points. The Cats regained the lead soon after, but a flurry of Eagles' behinds saw the match end in a draw.
Having recovered from a bout of tonsillitis, Haynes has returned to Skilled Stadium with his parents and former Falcons teammates James Rahilly and Brent Moloney by his side.
Now part of the Geelong furniture, he believes the club has a respected group of players who now have to take it to the next level.
"We're at the stage where we're respected and we've shown we can play the game, it's just whether all of us step up to the next level and that's going to make us a good footy side,'' he said.
Haynes spent most of his time playing second-fiddle in an Eagles forward line comprising of the talented Andrew Embley and goal-sneaks Phil Matera and Ashley Sampi.
He notched up 21 games last season in a successful Eagles team, but the urge to move on was strong.
"The opportunities weren't going to be there like they were this year, they're looking at having a taller forward line and a few other little circumstances and it's a great opportunity to come back to a club on the rise,'' Haynes said.
"They offered me a contract and it was more my call to come back, I was happy over there but opportunity wise there was no guarantee of me getting a game, not that there is one here.
"They (Eagles) were real good to me, they sent me in the right direction and they looked after me so I've got no grudges leaving there.''
The 188cm, 89kg leading forward has not as yet discussed his role with the Geelong coaching staff, but hopes to be given more of an opportunity up the ground, as well as trying to plug some forward holes.
"I'm a pretty good leader and I take the ball out in front and I'm definitely going to play games there (up forward), but I'd like to see myself push up the ground a little,'' he said.
"We haven't really spoken about it but I wouldn't mind playing up the ground a little bit.''
Fitness wise he is already behind the eight-ball after easing himself into training this week.
But it promises to be full-steam ahead from December when Haynes resumes a full-scale program with his new teammates.
