There were no explosive bursts, trademark one-twos or mesmerising moments from impossible angles.

But Geelong fans didn't seem to care. He was home.

Gary Ablett marked his return to GMHBA Stadium as a Cat with a workmanlike display in a win Geelong just needed to deliver.

After 2828 days he was back in the blue and white hoops, but this time it wasn't his show.

The first goal honours were left to debutant Jamaine Jones who was just three years old and stranded in a group home when Ablett first dazzled the local faithful in 2002.

At the other end Jack Henry was intercepting at will, the Geelong local who was just 11 and watching from the stands when the Little Master last did his thing on his home turf in 2010.

The first five minutes, however, did have them dreaming of the past.

Starting in the midfield, a mark after 40 seconds was met with thunderous applause for the new No.4 on the outer wing, not far from the terrace that carries he and his famous father's name.

Five minutes later he was lining up for goal on the edge of 50 metres after winning a high free kick at a stoppage.

He went back and coolly slotted it, showing as much poise as his previous 91 majors at the venue.

With two fists on show and a one-finger salute, the Premiership Stand enjoyed every moment of the celebration.

Since farewelling as a dual premiership player, he had come back twice but this was different.

"It's been a long time since I've been back down here, the crowd's always fantastic," Ablett said post-match.

"It's great to have them on your side, especially in a scrappy close game like that."

After a week where his impact at the top level was questioned by the football world, Carlton's youngsters could sense how much he wanted to bounce back.

Playing mostly through the midfield after a fortnight as a forward, he was given very little space to weave his magic.

The likes of Patrick Cripps, Zac Fisher and Paddy Dow, who would've spent countless hours watching and idolising him as kids, checked his run at every opportunity.

Even Dale Thomas, a showman in a previous life himself, wanted to get involved and ran the length of the wing to bump him after his goal.

Ablett collected 17 disposals last Saturday against the Bombers – his lowest tally in his previous 57 games for Geelong – and vowed to bounce back.

His other 64 games at home had seen greater heights but he was content to have played his role, something that hasn't always come easy to a born match-winner. 

"Let's make this clear, I'm 34 years old, I've been running through the midfield a long time," Ablett said.

"People shouldn’t expect I'm going to get 30-plus possessions a week.

"I'm trying to play my role for the team, some weeks that's going to be playing 70 per cent down forward, some weeks it's going to be playing a bit more through the midfield like tonight.

"Even last week when things weren't going so well, I just wanted to get into the midfield.

"It can be hard, especially when I've played in the midfield for such a long time. I'm a competitive person, I love it when the game is on the line."

His coach agreed.

"I thought he played a little too outside last week as a generalisation and he was much more inside (tonight) and much more penetrating, (gave) good pressure and couple of really good tackles," Chris Scott said. 

Ablett still finished with 25 disposals but as Scott said during the week, there is more in the tank.

Saturday night marked three games back from a second hamstring injury in the space of seven weeks, the coach noting he'll be more influential later in the season.

Once upon a time the local faithful would have been restless had their favourite son not provided a passage of brilliance. But just seeing him in the colours was enough this time around.

With at least five matches in his own backyard this season to come, plus a contract for next year, he will have plenty of other moments to forge a lasting memory for the fans who have been there since day one.