Geelong had missed the Finals for the first time in nine years, but as Adelaide visited in the final round of the 2015 season, there was an air of excitement and anticipation around GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats controlled the play for large portions of the contest and had an unassailable lead late, when an incredible moment occurred as Patrick Dangerfield marked and had the last kick of the game, just prior to the final siren.

Knowing that the star midfielder was heavily linked to a trade at season’s end, the Geelong faithful rose as one with a rapturous applause, seemingly one final move to sway Dangerfield to return home in 2016.

It ended up being an iconic moment in Cats history, when only two months later Dangerfield was traded to Geelong at the conclusion of the 2015 season.

“It was a unique set of circumstances,” Dangerfield told Cats Media.

“I don't think Geelong could play Finals (in 2015) and we (Adelaide) were going to, but we were never really in that game.

“It was a bit of an awkward moment obviously, it is humorous to look back on but at the time I was trying to shut it out.

“I was trying not to see anyone make something that it isn't, but there was an irony to it.”

The exchange saw Patrick Dangerfield and a third round draft pick land at Geelong, while the Cats gave Adelaide picks 9 & 28, along with young midfielder Dean Gore.

Dangerfield said he knew about a year prior that a trade might be possible, but he did not have much to do in the process other than put his head down and keep playing good football.

“Probably about 12 months before (the trade happened) I was pretty keen to head home,” Dangerfield said.

“I understood where things were at, I had been in Adelaide for eight years and where we were at personally, it was time for a change. We were keen to have kids, get married and all that sort of stuff.

“In the end it was a pretty simple process, it wasn't really something that I had to drive or be all that aware of.

For me it was about focusing on playing throughout the season, knowing that there was an opportunity to come back if I wanted it and a deal would get done.”

Dangerfield also opened up what lured him back to Geelong, noting that the Club’s culture had a big impact on his final decision.

“It was 50 minutes from home on the Surfcoast so that makes a big difference, that was it first and foremost,” Dangerfield said.

“The club has had such a strong track record of consistently playing Finals and giving themselves a chance. That is probably the thing above all else that I look at as a player that you can trust that our coaches, recruiters, everyone within the building will give us a chance every year to have a crack.

“It is not a five year build, it is not a three year build, we will formulate and compose the best list possible that we can every year to give ourselves a shot at going for gold.”