Any time a player faces their former side, there is bound to be a level of hostility and a raucous reception from the crowd. 

But when it comes to one of the competition's best players on an interstate trip in enemy territory, that whole notion goes to another level and creates a fascinating spectacle that you simply can not take your eyes off. 

The noise inside Adelaide Oval was absolutely deafening when Patrick Dangerfield strode out in the blue and white Hoops against Adelaide for the first time, commencing a brand new chapter and rivalry in Round 8 of the 2016 season. 

With both teams entrenched in the top eight entering the match and the fifth biggest crowd in Adelaide Oval history in attendance, the stage was set for an enthralling battle and both teams rose to the occasion on a stellar Friday night in the City of Churches. 

With all eyes on the centre stoppage as Geelong's new recruit lined up alongside his former teammates, the Crows took an interesting approach that almost added to the drama, choosing to give Dangerfield the cold shoulder in the build up to the opening bounce. 

But while the majority of the attention was focused on that battle, the ever-professional Cats outfit swiftly gained the ascendancy early and the opening 10 minutes saw the ball locked in Geelong's forward half. 

Despite winning the territory battle, the Cats' inaccuracy in front of the big sticks hampered their efforts with just one goal from their opening six scoring shots, leaving the door open for Adelaide to remain in the contest. 

Taylor Walker created some early headaches with a pair of goals in the first quarter, but Geelong were able to answer with three majors of their own and despite registering a scoreline of 3.8 (26) in the opening term, they took a 13-point buffer into the first break. 

Goals continued to be hard to come by for the Cats in the second term as they added four more minor scores after quarter time, a 3.12 (30) total keeping scores close and allowing the home crowd to get involved in the contest. 

After struggling to capitalise on their own opportunities, Geelong then had to watch on as Adelaide slammed through three of the next four goals to trim the margin to just five points at the 20-minute mark of the quarter, Charlie Cameron bringing the Crows faithful to their feet with a long-range finish. 

But through late goals to Steven Motlop and Shane Kersten, the Cats were able to steady and re-establish a 12-point lead at half time, perhaps not quite reward for effort but certainly a handy gap on the road in a hostile environment. 

If there was room for concern from a Geelong perspective at the main break, those thoughts were only multiplied as the second half commenced with Adelaide kicking two goals in two minutes and all of a sudden, the scores were level with nearly a full half of football remaining. 

Not overawed by the occasion, Geelong swiftly responded through a Kersten intercept which set up Motlop's third goal of the night, before Josh Caddy and Rhys Stanley followed suit to give the Cats some breathing space. 

With 24 scoring shots to 10 on the board and a 19-point lead midway through the third term, it started to look like the Cats' dominance was starting to show and perhaps they were on the cusp of breaking the game open. 

But that could not have been more wrong, as Adelaide piled on three goals in a quick burst to pull back within a kick, Geelong's lead trimmed to just two points at three quarter time and setting up a monumental finish on what had already been an extraordinary night. 

The final quarter did nothing to ease the tensions of Cats fans, as Paul Seedsman took a big mark at the top of the goal square with a chance to put the Crows in front for the first time in the match. 

But remarkably, the usually reliable kick hooked his set-shot badly and missed left, which proved to be a major turning point in the match. 

Corey Enright snuck forward for a rare goal to flip the momentum, Motlop turned Adelaide's defence inside out and curled home his fourth, before Darcy Lang wobbled home another to give the Cats a decisive break in the final term. 

Kersten would add his third major later in the quarter to cap off a stellar evening in Adelaide, Geelong prevailing in a wild contest by 26 points as Dangerfield claimed the bragging rights over his former side for the first time. 

Cameron Guthrie finished with an incredible stat line which included a game-high 36 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 tackles and eight clearances to ultimately claim the three votes on Brownlow night. 

As for Dangerfield, he worked his way into the contest and finished with 33 disposals, 11 intercept possessions and nine score involvements but most importantly, the Cats left Adelaide Oval with the four points. 

2016 Round 8 – Adelaide v Geelong

ADELAIDE    2.1    5.1   11.3     11.6    (72)
GEELONG    3.8   5.13   9.17   13.20   (98)

GOALS: Motlop 4, Kersten 3, Caddy, Duncan, Enright, Lang, Menzel, Stanley 1

DISPOSALS: Guthrie 36, Dangerfield 33, Bartel 25, Motlop, Selwood 24, Enright 23

BROWNLOW VOTES: Cameron Guthrie (3), Rory Sloane (2), Steven Motlop (1)

CROWD: 53,141 @ Adelaide Oval

GEELONG STARTING 22
1. Rhys Stanley
3. Jimmy Bartel
4. Andrew Mackie
7. Harry Taylor
9. Zac Smith
10. Daniel Menzel
11. Darcy Lang
13. Tom Lonergan
14. Joel Selwood
22. Mitch Duncan
23. Josh Caddy
24. Jed Bews
25. Lachie Henderson
26. Tom Hawkins
28. Cory Gregson
29. Cameron Guthrie
32. Steven Motlop
35. Patrick Dangerfield
36. Tom Ruggles
39. Shane Kersten
44. Corey Enright
46. Mark Blicavs