The build-up to Friday night's game felt like that ahead of a final, a strange phenomenon for a round eight match-up in mid-May.

The week unfolded as it did for one reason – Patrick Dangerfield was to front up against Adelaide for the first time since leaving to join Geelong late last year.

His status as one of the club's great inside midfielders was assured just before he announced he'd join the Cats when he broke through to win his first Malcolm Blight Medal as the club's best and fairest player.

Crows v Cats: Full match coverage and stats

While the Crows have proven this season that they're far from wrecked without him, Dangerfield's form at Geelong has been sensational.

He's averaging more possessions a game than in any other season of his career and is an early favourite for the 2016 Brownlow Medal.

A monster crowd was expected to witness the occasion and the Crows faithful did not disappoint, turning up in droves – and in full voice – to produce the second-biggest crowd (53,141) at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. 

Dangerfield and Lachie Henderson embrace before running through the banner. Picture: AFL Media 

Dangerfield's performance against the Crows

Dangerfield took almost five minutes to win his first possession against his old club and while the boos from the grandstands were muted during Geelong's entrance, they rang out soon after.

He worked into the game quickly and after an 11-possession second term he'd collected 17 by the main break – the most of any player on the field. 

But his old side was restricting his impact well; while he continued to amass plenty of the footy, the bulk was far less effective than his usual high standard.

Rory Sloane continued to pay his good mate very close attention through the second half, limiting Dangerfield's influence.

But the ex-Crow quietly continued his work on the inside and by the final siren his 33 disposals (of which 22 were contested), six clearances and 11 tackles played an important role in the Cats' gutsy win.

Dangerfield and Sloane shake hands after the Cats' win. Picture: AFL Media

How did the crowd react? 

He was booed for each of his 33 possessions, but it was obvious there was little genuine ill will towards the former Crows champion. Such a response makes sense; his departure was a shock to Adelaide's supporters but it was also conducted in a manner that was as honest as possible. The club respected it, his teammates respected it and on Friday night it was clear that for the most part, the football fans of Adelaide did too.

Crows give ex-hero a hearty welcome 'home'

High point

He had a crucial hand in Geelong's eighth goal, which opened its lead back out to 19 points. Dangerfield gatherered cleanly deep in attack, initiating a trademark barge through a would-be tackler before dishing to teammate Darcy Lang, who gifted Josh Caddy his only major of the night. 

Five talking points: Adelaide v Geelong

Low point

Having finally found some clear space in the second quarter, Dangerfield charged towards a vacant attacking 50. It was at the same end of Adelaide Oval while playing for the Crows in 2014 against Greater Western Sydney that he nailed a goal from a similar location. On this occasion, though, he was offline and the ball trickled through for a minor score. 

How the fans saw Dangerfield's Crow 'homecoming'

The stats sheet

What they said in the rooms

"I thought he handled the lead up beautifully ... As expected, he didn't shy away from anything, and he stood up when it counted. I didn't think it was his best game. It will take me a little while to analyse it but clearly had a lot of the ball." - Geelong coach Chris Scott

"He's a good player and I thought it was a good battle between him and [Rory] Sloane, clearly Geelong's midfield held sway on the night." - Adelaide coach Don Pyke

"We just viewed him as another Geelong player; obviously we're aware of his strengths and his weaknesses…we could throw a blanket over Danger, [Joel] Selwood, I thought [Cam] Guthrie was really good tonight…Josh Caddy's another one. I think we'd be doing ourselves a discredit if we were just trying to worry about Danger." - Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs

Dangerfield and four-goal teammate Steven Motlop enjoy the win. Picture: AFL Media