PATRICK Dangerfield has started his first game against his former side slowly, winning a single possession inside the opening five minutes of Geelong’s game against Adelaide.
Dangerfield may have left West Lakes as Adelaide’s best and fairest but the way in which he exited the club - and the service he offered during his eight seasons - differed greatly to the last time the club’s supporter base was rocked by a departing star.
The crowd’s reaction to their former hero running out onto the ground was therefore measured; the chorus of boos that sounded the return of Kurt Tippett wasn’t dealt to Dangerfield.
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They came though.
Matched up against good friend Rory Sloane, Dangerfield reached unsuccessfully for a mark on Geelong’s half-forward flank.
His first possession against his former side - a handball - came shortly after, and while the crowd booed again, it was clear the noise was free of malice.
Dangerfield was caught in a tackle shortly afterwards and the accompanying boos as he took possession soon turned to cheers when the umpire penalised him for a throw. It was traditional footy theatre at its best.
The 26-year-old worked his way into the contest and, while the contested nature of his possession meant many of his disposals were ineffective, he had still accumulated 17 touches - more than any other man on the field.
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Of Dangerfield’s 17 possessions, 12 were contested and he also won four clearances - a mark bettered only by Sloane (five).
His work on the inside didn’t result in clean footy for the Cats up forward either; they booted 5.13 in the opening half and their 12-point lead was eclipsed within the opening two minutes of the second half.
Final words from the skipper as the Cats make their way out onto Adelaide Oval #AFLCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/rJMxY6s2aW
— AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2016