Patrick Dangerfield was good in his comeback game against North Melbourne last week, but the sold out crowd at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night was treated to a vintage display from the superstar Cat in his side’s 28 point win over reigning premiers Melbourne.  

A troublesome calf and a subsequent reconditioning block had restricted him to nine games going into the top of the table clash, but the trademark speed and power were back in spades, the Brownlow Medallist looking refreshed and confident on his way to 31 touches, five marks, nine clearances, eight inside 50s, six score involvements and 702 metres gained.

Speaking to Channel 7 post match, Dangerfield said his body was feeling good.

“I think continuity at any stage in our career is so critical to good performance and it's really hard to not train a huge amount and then expect to perform every week,” he said.

“It is easier when you're young to be able to do that because you do just recover that little bit quicker but as you get older it does reinforce how critical that part of preparation is.”

The game was less an arm wrestle and more like two prize fighters trading blows for much of the match, before Geelong skipped away in the final term, recording 11 inside 50s to one over the final 15 minutes and icing the game with the final three goals to run out 28 point winners and secure top spot on the ladder.

With the Demons coming to town and the Cats looking for their seventh straight win, there was a finals-like atmosphere around Geelong in the lead up to the game, and Dangerfield said the players could feel it.

“It's why you play footy,” he said.

“We built this one up, we were ready for it. And we feel like the trajectory we're on is improving every week and it's fun to be a part of.”