1. Goodbye, farewell and Amen
Emotions were running high as Geelong farewelled Mathew Stokes, James Kelly and Steve Johnson on Saturday. Each player was told during the week that their time at the club was up after a combined 714 games and eight premiership medallions. As usual, Johnson pulled all the tricks out of the bag including a pot shot at goal while lying on the ground in the second quarter and an attempted snap around the corner that failed to make the distance in the third term. Kelly was as solid as ever with 30 touches and nine tackles, while Stokes accumulated 33 disposals in an understated fashion. They all racked up plenty of the ball in the final term, going out of their way to link up with each other with handballs. It was a fun, and deserving, way to sign off on three outstanding careers. They were all chaired off the ground in unison to the applause of the Geelong faithful.
2. Will Danger stay or will he go?
Stay in Adelaide or move home to Geelong? That is the looming question facing Crows superstar and restricted free agent Patrick Dangerfield. His return to the sleepy hollow on Saturday was met with great fanfare. The Geelong Advertiser even ran a #comehomepaddy campaign and asked fans to sign a petition to bring Dangerfield to the Cattery. Dangerfield shook off an early knock to the nose to be one of Adelaide's most influential players around stoppages. The star Crow was even cheered as he took his shot at goal on the final siren. If the hometown boy does return, his clearance work and match-winning ability will be a significant boost for the Cats in 2016.
3. Smith's injury worry
Adelaide went against the trend of resting players a week out from finals and were unchanged for the game against the Cats. So when All Australian defender Brodie Smith limped from the field with an injured left ankle in the first quarter, Crows coach Scott Camporeale would have been worried. The Crows subbed Smith out not long after and he was seen with an ice pack on his left ankle. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the Crows' first finals match against the Western Bulldogs next weekend.
4. The forgotten trio reunited at last
Much of the attention was focused on the retiring trio, but another story to celebrate for the Geelong contingent was the fact Daniel Menzel, Josh Cowan and Nathan Vardy were back playing together. The match on Saturday marked the first time the three players had played together since round 11, 2011. After a heartwarming return last week, Menzel had little influence and was subbed out in the third quarter. But Vardy (three goals) and Cowan, who was playing just his fifth AFL game in his fifth season on Geelong's list, both contributed handily to the Cats' win. Cowan's ability to read the play stood out while he also kicked a terrific goal on the run in the first quarter. The trio has played just 52 games between them, each battling their own injury problems, and are looked upon as fresh recruits next season.
5. Motlop's contract over the line
While Dangerfield's signature remains the key priority, news that speedster Steven Motlop had re-committed to the Cats was welcome news for Geelong supporters. Motlop possesses the flair and creativity the Cats need up forward and through the midfield as they look to build towards another premiership assault. In further good news, utility Mark Blicavs' new contract extension is expected to be announced next week after a breakout year for the big man.
