BERNIE Vince was a much-loved player at the Crows.  

He was a genuine fan favourite and many Adelaide supporters were disappointed when he finished up at the club at the end of the 2013 season.

His departure from South Australia was Melbourne’s benefit. He finished third in Melbourne’s best and fairest last year and he quickly showed why he was targeted by the Demons for his experience and class in a developing side.

Last year, he returned to Adelaide Oval, where he confronted his former side for the first time. It was a memorable occasion for Vince – and Melbourne – as he was part of a rare, and stirring, red and blue win in the City of Churches.

Vince acknowledged – in the build-up to the round just played – that it was a weird experience coming up against his former team, and he predicted it would be the case, the second time around.

And while it might have been an unusual situation coming up against his former team yet again, Vince’s impact was definitely felt in a way that contributed to his team’s cause and ruffled the feathers of his former club.

The midfielder’s effort to curb the brilliant Patrick Dangerfield – not only Adelaide’s best player, but arguably one of the most elite in the competition – was significant.

Vince harassed, jostled and played a critical role on Dangerfield, keeping him to just 16 disposals.

It was a fierce contest. It was hostile and willing. And the wet conditions seemed to bring that out even more.

Vince’s effort on Dangerfield drew jeers from those who once cheered him. And it even sparked commentary from several quarters, including new Adelaide coach, Phil Walsh.

For Paul Roos, the coach labeled Vince’s role as “significant”, particularly in just his second game back, after an interrupted pre-season, due to shoulder surgery and more recently a couple of hamstring injuries.

 “He’s just coming back, so to do a good job on Danger, who is such a good player – and has the ability to make a contest out of everything – I thought [Vince] was really, really competitive,” he said.

“He stuck to his task really well all day and he was a good contributor for us.”

From Vince’s perspective, the contest against his former teammate was simply part of the game.

He said he had a job to do and that was to stop Adelaide’s most dangerous player.

And with a twinkle in the eye, Vince knew it was a job that was pushed to the nth degree.

“I was just having a bit of fun. I was testing a few blokes out and a few of my old mates – and that’s what footy’s about. I don’t think I’m too popular over here now,” he told Dee TV with his renowned cheeky smile.

“I’ll live with that – I don’t care. I was just having a bit of fun – and that’s what we play footy for. It doesn’t worry me at all. I’m a Melbourne player now.

“If that means Adelaide people not liking me – that’s what it means, but I’m still mates with all of the Adelaide boys.

“I’ll do anything I can for the Melbourne footy club to win.”