Geelong's prized recruit Patrick Dangerfield wasn't at his eye-catching best.
But his coach Chris Scott says Dangerfield proved his true professionalism with a pivotal performance against his old AFL club Adelaide on Friday night.
Dangerfield collected 33 disposals, at just 51.5 per cent efficiency, and laid 11 tackles in Geelong's 26-point away victory against the Crows.
"He's a pro," Scott said of Dangerfield.
"His preparation was fantastic. We didn't guide him much at all, in fact we took the lead from him.
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"I thought he handled the lead-up beautifully, but as expected to be honest.
"He didn't shy away from anything and he stood up when it counted."
Dangerfield was roundly booed by the Adelaide Oval crowd during his first game against the Crows - he's still the reigning club champion at the South Australian outfit.
"He didn't have his best game ... but he clearly had a lot of the ball," Scott said.
"He probably didn't break out into space as much as he can, but we have got pretty high standards for him, don't we.
"He had 11 tackles and I know numbers aren't everything, but he was pretty strong in tight. He was important for us."
The Cats have banked seven wins from eight games in a start which heartens coach Scott, but doesn't satisfy him.
"It's a nice way to start, but it doesn't guarantee anything," he said.
Geelong will likely lose Tom Lonergan, who was concussed against the Crows, for next Saturday's MCG encounter against Collingwood.
