For so long Geelong fans enjoyed watching Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron pick apart opposition teams, but the Cats' heir apparent certainly laid his claim to the throne in a dominant display on Thursday night.
In a free flowing, high scoring affair at GMHBA Stadium, Shannon Neale stood tall recording 11 score involvements and booting five goals, two coming in the last quarter when the game was well and truly in the balance.
Neale provided a brilliant one-two punch alongside fellow spearhead, Jeremy Cameron who booted six majors of his own to take a four-goal lead at the top of the Coleman Medal leaderboard.
Speaking to Cats Media after the scintillating Thursday night victory, Neale said his connection with Cameron is continuing to grow as he looks to make the most of his opportunity.
"It is still developing but it is coming along nicely," Neale told Cats Media.
"I sort of knew throughout the year that I just had to stay patient and keep going, then the game would break open for me as an individual. I still have a long way to go.
"Jez is a phenomenal talent. He kicked seven last week and six this week, we all know what he can do, it is surreal to play alongside such an amazing player.
"Even when Pat is down there, if you told me a few years ago I would have Paddy Dangerfield to my right and Jeremy Cameron to my left, I would think you are an idiot.
"I am in a very fortunate spot at the moment."
The victory over the Bulldogs put a cherry on top of a big week for Geelong, as the club celebrated the 300th career game of champion player, Mitch Duncan.
In his milestone match, Duncan provided another consistent performance as he registered three score involvements and picked off four intercept possessions, using the footy with plenty of poise and skill as his been a trademark of his game throughout an extensive career.
A fellow West Australian, Neale said that Duncan was the first player he met from the Geelong Football Club, noting how important the stalwart was at the beginning of his journey.
"He was the first player I met after getting drafted, he was in Western Australia being a fellow WA boy," Neale said.
"He represented the club so well and I fell in love instantly, I knew I was very lucky at the time to be have been picked and landed here.
"He has been amazing for me, I think he has always got a look out for his WA boys which is great, he has always been so welcoming and he is an extremely smart player.
"Even though I mentioned Pat and Jez before, just that wealth of experience and the amazing player that Mitch is, I am so grateful to have played in such a big game tonight."
