Five things we loved about the AFL and VFL games on the weekend …
1. THE DAN MENZEL SHOW
The team put in a terrible disappointing display against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, but Daniel Menzel's extraordinary performance eased the pain for everyone connected to the Cats. In his first AFL game since 2011, Menzel booted a game-high four goals, took a screamer and finished with 20 disposals. At one point early in the game, Menzel had kicked Geelong's entire score of 2.1 (13). It was a reminder that although he's been through some very hard times, the 23-year-old remains one of the most talented players on the club's list.
WATCH: Daniel Menzel's post-match interview with CatsTV
WATCH: Daniel Menzel's spectacular mark against the Pies
READ: The match report from Friday night's game
WATCH: The video highlights from Friday night's game
2. THE SOCIAL MEDIA LOVE FOR MENZEL
People from right across the footy world got behind Menzel before, during and after his comeback game. Here's a small slice of the action from Twitter …
Daniel Menzel....Welcome back brother !!!
— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) August 28, 2015
You bloody beauty!!!
— Mitch Clark (@mitchjclark) August 28, 2015
Yeah Menz!!
— David Wojcinski (@40Dangus) August 28, 2015
Menzel Eyes off the scoreboard for one second. That was a moment to remember. Well done #sidebyside
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) August 28, 2015
3. MARK BLICAVS' FORM
Big 'Blitzy' has benefitted from the return of Nathan Vardy to the AFL team, and he was among the Cats' best players on Friday night. Playing as a midfielder at times and as a ruckman at other stages of the game, Blicavs finished with 27 disposals at 89 per cent efficiency, 13 hit-outs and seven tackles. He will be hard to beat in the best and fairest.
READ: A report from Chris Scott's post-match press conference
Check out the game hub from Friday night's match, complete with stats and links to videos
4. GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH'S VFL FORM
‘Horlo' was very stiff to be dropped from the AFL side after a couple of reasonable performances at the highest level, but he took the axing in his stride. He suited up for the Cats' VFL team in its last match for the season against the Northern Blues at Simonds Stadium on Saturday. Horlin-Smith tallied 30 disposals, six marks, six clearances and four goals in an outstanding display, guiding his team to an 81-point win.
READ: Angus Kramer's VFL match report
5. JORDAN CUNICO'S EFFORT AGAINST THE BLUES
The youngster from Gippsland has shown great signs in the second half of the season, and he was again among the Cats' best players in the big win over the Northern Blues. Cunico tallied 30 disposals, three clearances and a goal, in the process giving Geelong's fans and coaches a taste of how good he could be after getting another pre-season under his belt.