Dangerfield stars as Cats claw past Crows in Gather Round epic

Patrick Dangerfield has inspired Geelong to a thrilling comeback win over his former side, with the Cats overturning a 31-point deficit to defeat Adelaide by 19 points and open Gather Round in style on Thursday night.

In a match that ebbed and flowed from the first bounce, the Crows jumped out of the blocks and looked every bit a top-eight team in the opening half, with Darcy Fogarty running rampant and Taylor Walker turning back the clock. But the Cats refused to go quietly, steadying either side of the main break before storming home in the final quarter to win 18.11 (119) to 15.10 (100).

Dangerfield was at his brilliant best when the game was there to be won, kicking two clutch final-term goals to finish with four for the night and swing the contest Geelong’s way. The 35-year-old captain was untouchable inside 50, proving a nightmare matchup as Adelaide’s defence began to fatigue.

Jeremy Cameron also booted four majors from limited opportunities, including two vital goals to start the final term and a match-sealer in the dying moments. Their heroics were even more crucial given the pre-game blow of losing Tom Stewart to illness, with the All-Australian defender a late out.

Despite missing Stewart and fellow backman Jack Henry, Geelong held firm in defence when it mattered most. Sam De Koning did a superb job on Riley Thilthorpe, while the Cats’ midfield — led by Dangerfield and the ever-consistent Max Holmes — eventually overpowered the Crows in clearances and inside 50s.

The opening half belonged to Adelaide, with Fogarty lighting up Adelaide Oval with a second-quarter blitz. The powerful forward kicked four goals in the term and had the home crowd rocking. Walker added two first-half majors of his own, while Izak Rankine — who passed a pre-game fitness test — finished with 25 touches and two goals in a gutsy effort.

But the Crows, coming off a five-day break, couldn’t maintain their manic pace in the second half. Geelong, with greater polish and composure, chipped away before launching a full-scale takeover in the fourth.

The Crows’ much-hyped forward trio of Walker, Fogarty and Thilthorpe — dubbed the ‘three-headed monster’ — again threatened to blow the game open early. But Geelong’s backline, aided by a late shift to a seven-man defence, slowed their influence just enough to stem the damage.

Chris Scott’s side kicked 6 of 7 goals either side of half time and finished with 10 individual goalkickers in a well-rounded offensive display.

The only concern for the Cats was Tyson Stengle, who appeared to tweak his hamstring late in the match. Early signs suggest the injury is minor, with a long turnaround into their Easter Monday clash giving him time to recover in Round 6 of the 2025 AFL season.

For Geelong, it’s a win that keeps momentum rolling after a patchy start to the season — and for Dangerfield, a sweet triumph on familiar turf. For Adelaide, a second-half fadeout will sting, especially after such a blistering beginning.

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