In a performance that rekindled memories of his Brownlow-best years, Patrick Dangerfield turned back the clock at Adelaide Oval, booting four goals and leading Geelong to a stunning 19-point comeback win over Adelaide.
The Cats looked flat and out of answers early, trailing by 30 points midway through the second term, before unleashing a devastating second-half charge. The 18.11 (119) to 15.10 (100) victory kicked off the AFL’s Gather Round with fireworks—and a familiar hero in centre stage.
The Crows, coming off a five-day turnaround, controlled much of the first half. But when the legs got heavy and the contest got hotter, it was Geelong’s stars who stood tallest.
Jezza and Danger Turn the Tide Late
Jeremy Cameron joined Dangerfield in the late-game blitz, also finishing with four goals from 15 touches, while Tom Hawkins and Gryan Miers played important cameos across half-forward.
It was Cameron and Dangerfield who iced the contest in the dying minutes, each slotting clutch goals to silence a previously raucous Adelaide crowd.
Dangerfield’s final major—his fourth—came after a strong mark just inside 50, where he confidently slotted the set shot to give the Cats a match-defining 16-point buffer.
“Dangerfield has been fantastic ahead of the ball. In the air and on the ground—borderline untackleable,” said Fox Footy’s Jack Riewoldt. “He just wants to be involved. He knows what’s at stake here.”
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A Tale of Two Halves at the ‘Crowval’
It was all Adelaide early. Taylor Walker had the crowd on their feet in the opening minutes with a classic piece of footy candy, sending Mark Blicavs the wrong way before slotting a goal. Izak Rankine, under an injury cloud pre-game, looked electric despite a corked calf, registering six disposals in the first quarter—four of which led to scores.
By halftime, the Crows had piled on 72 points, and Geelong were staring at their fifth-worst defensive half in a decade.
But Chris Scott’s halftime adjustments sparked life. The Cats began dominating territory, applying relentless forward pressure and tightening the screws behind the ball despite the absence of key defenders Tom Stewart and Jack Henry.
“We haven’t seen Geelong torch the footy like this in a long time,” analyst David King said. “But credit to them. They turned it around in spectacular fashion.”
Injury Concern for Cats’ Sparkplug
The only downside for Geelong on an otherwise triumphant night was a late-game injury scare to Tyson Stengle. The crafty small forward appeared to tweak his hamstring in the final quarter after copping a knock earlier.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported via X (formerly Twitter): “His hammy just got tighter and tighter… but with a long break into Easter Monday, the Cats are hopeful it’s minor.”
Scott’s Gamble Pays Off
Head coach Chris Scott copped some criticism at halftime for the Cats’ shaky start—but in the end, his strategic tweaks proved pivotal. The decision to play Dangerfield closer to goal paid massive dividends, as did backing in younger midfielders to drive the contest.
Dangerfield, at 35, looked every bit the match-winner Geelong needed. His leadership and physicality in the forward 50 were decisive, with opposition captain Rory Laird unable to match his presence.
“He just looms,” said St Kilda legend Leigh Montagna. “As a defender, when the ball’s coming your way, you’re always aware of Danger.”
What’s Next?
The win pushes Geelong to 4-1 and solidifies their top-four credentials heading into the Easter Monday blockbuster against Hawthorn. The Cats will now monitor Stengle’s fitness, but otherwise have a clean bill of health.
Adelaide, now 2-3, face a tough week of soul-searching after letting a winnable game slip. With the short turnaround clearly taking its toll, the Crows will need to regroup quickly before facing Port Adelaide in next weekend’s Showdown.
As for Dangerfield, the statement was clear: the old bull’s still got it—and he’s not done yet.