Geelong coach Chris Scott knows there is no point trying to manage, manipulate or downplay Patrick Dangerfield's upcoming return to Adelaide.
Former Crows superstar Dangerfield requested a trade to Geelong last year, ending a year of speculation by confirming he wanted to be closer to family in Victoria.
Dangerfield was outstanding on his AFL club debut, tallying a career-high 43 disposals to help the Cats record a 30-point win over reigning premiers Hawthorn.
The 26-year-old's form since has been just as classy, now the challenge will be to produce against some of his close friends at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
"Paddy is a pro and we aspire to be a really professional club so we certainly won't be trying to manage the situation too much," Scott said.
"There will be great theatre in his return, for the fans in particular.
"Paddy will be up for it but he will just go about his business I suspect."
Scott was unsure what Dangerfield's former teammates and Crows fans had in store for the Brownlow Medal favourite.
"Adelaide players obviously know him well but sometimes you can needle opposition players and it only spurs them," he said.
"You have to be quite selective when you start booing players."
Preparing to plot the downfall of the Crows, who lost to the Western Bulldogs in a Saturday night thriller, Scott acknowledged he would ask Dangerfield for some pointers.
"Because he is a very astute football brain," he said.
"It counterbalances a little bit by the fact they have had a few coaches, even in the last 12 months. There would be some significant shifts in the way they played.
"He will help with individuals and help a little bit but we have a pretty competent coaching staff so I think Paddy will let us do our jobs and he'll get to work on doing his."
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