Patrick Dangerfield gets a handball away under pressure from Rory Sloane at Adelaide Oval. photo Calum Robertson

On Friday night he repeated the dose.

Dangerfield — playing against his former club the Crows for the first time — produced another strong midfield display to inflict more pain on Adelaide as his new club Geelong enhanced its premiership credentials.

The Cats, who are now top, ended the Crows’ eight-match winning streak at Adelaide Oval to win by 26 points despite almost blowing the game in front goal.

Geelong kicked 13.20 (98) to Adelaide’s 11.6 (72) and were easily the better side.

Paul Seedsman had the chance to put the Crows in front for the first time nine minutes into the last quarter.

But he missed a set shot from 20 metres after a strong mark and the Cats made the home side pay at the other end, kicking the last four goals of the game.

Dangerfield, who was booed every time he touched the ball, was one of the architects of the victory.

“It was different but it was business for me,’’ Dangerfield said of playing against his old side for the first time.

Patrick Dangerfield shakes hands with Patrick Dangerfield after the game. Picture Sarah ReedSource:News Corp Australia

Rarely has a match been built up so much about one man and while Dangerfield, who wasn’t tagged, didn’t dominate he played a major role in the victory with 33 disposals, including 22 contested, and 11 tackles.

Dangerfield, who played 153 games in eight years for the Crows before joining the Cats, had plenty of support.

Steven Motlop starred with four goals, Cameron Guthrie had 36 disposals, Joel Selwood won plenty of contested ball and Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson did strong defensive jobs on Josh Jenkins and Taylor Walker.

In contrast, the Crows, whose win-loss record has slipped to 4-4 and left them mid-table, had far too few contributors.

Rory Sloane was their best while Rory Atkins, Charlie Cameron and Ricky Henderson were solid and Daniel Talia kept Tom Hawkins goalless.

Skipper Walker, who has battled a foot injury all season, started well to kick Adelaide’s first two goals but he was well beaten after quarter-time.

Geelong’s stirring win saw it complete the double at Adelaide Oval this season, having beaten Port Adelaide by 48 points in round five.

Rory Sloane was one of Adelaide’s best players. AAP Image/Ben Macmahon.Source:AAP

The Cats started with a full head of steam and could have put the Crows to the sword in the opening 10 minutes where it had the first 11 inside 50 entries but could manage only 1.5.

It took a moment of magic from Walker to get Adelaide moving.

He marked strongly in front of opponent Henderson near the boundary line and swung onto his right boot to kick a brilliant goal.

Walker then caught Jed Bews holding the ball to kick his second goal in another inspiring individual act.

But the Cats, who lost key defender Tom Lonergan through concussion early, continued to dominate the midfield, leading to an 18-7 inside 50 advantage at the first break.

Only errant kicking for goal cost them an early matchwinning lead as they led 3.8 to 2.1.

Guthrie, Motlop and Selwood had ripped the Crows apart in the middle of the ground while Daniel Menzel was lively in attack.

Geelong continued its dominance in the second quarter but its goalkicking again haunted it.

Tom Hawkins missed two set shots and Shane Kersten hit the post to keep Adelaide, which was turning the ball over at will, in the contest.

Cameron made sure the home side stayed in touch with some magic that rekindled memories of the player he inherited the No. 23 jumper from, club legend Andrew McLeod.

Cameron’s goal on the run from 50m capped off a run of three Crows goals in 13 minutes and they trailed by just 12 points at the long break despite having 12 fewer scoring shots.

Two minutes into the third quarter Adelaide was level but the Cats flexed their muscle to kick clear late.

GEELONG 3.8 5.13 9.17 13.20 (98)

ADELAIDE 2.1 5.1 11.3 11.6 (72)

BEST — Geelong: Motlop, Guthrie, Dangerfield, Selwood, Bartel, Enright, Taylor, Henderson. Adelaide: Sloane, Cameron, Atkins, Henderson, Talia.

GOALS — Geelong: Motlop 4, Kersten 3, Stanley, Menzel, Lang, Duncan, Caddy, Enright. Adelaide: Betts, Walker, Jenkins, McGovern 2, Sloane, Cameron, Atkins.

INJURIES — Geelong: Lonergan (concussion).

UMPIRES — M. Stevic, C. Kamolins, S. Meredith.

CROWD — 53,141 at Adelaide Oval.

HERALD SUN VOTES — 3: Steven Motlop (Geel). 2: Cameron Guthrie (Geel). 1: Patrick Dangerfield (Geel).