Midfielder Scott Thompson says there’s no bad blood with Bernie Vince following the ex-Crow’s controversial tactics on Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield.

On Saturday, Melbourne appeared to target Dangerfield, who collected the three Brownlow votes when the two teams met at Adelaide Oval last season. Vince was the main antagonist, niggling the two-time All Australian at every opportunity.

While the Adelaide players took exception to the treatment of Dangerfield during the game, as evidenced by the all-in scuffle at three-quarter time, Thompson said what happened on the field would stay on the field.

“It’s always nice to front up against Bernie. Once upon a time he was a fan favourite here, but I heard him cop a few boos today. It was nice of him to kick one in our direction in the third quarter though,” Thompson said after the game.

“It’s part and parcel of the game. Once you cross the white line, blokes play on edge and Bernie is no different. He’s got a lot of close mates here, who he speaks to regularly and still catches up with.

“I think he’s staying in Adelaide tonight, so we might even share a quiet beer at some point.”

Thompson played his first AFL game of the season against former club, Melbourne, on Saturday.

The dual-Crows Club Champion sat out the pre-season competition because of a hamstring complaint, and spent a fortnight in the SANFL building match fitness.

The 265-game veteran admitted to feeling nervous ahead of his first AFL game in eight months.

“I wish it was like riding a bike, but I was a little bit toey before the game!” he said.

“It was only my second full game for the season. It was definitely nice to be back in the side. It was an arm wrestle for four quarters and it was nice to come away with the win.”

Thompson need not have been nervous, finishing the match with 30 possessions, a game-high 11 clearances and 11 tackles.

He tested out his hamstring with a desperate chase and tackle on Demons forward Jay Kennedy-Harris in the opening quarter.

Kennedy-Harris was on track to give the visitors their fourth-unanswered goal when Thompson mowed the speedster down from behind inside 50m.

“You noticed my leg speed, did you? I’ve always had that!” Thompson said with a laugh.

“No, I think it was really the fact that there was a bit of frontal pressure on him and he had to have the bounce to try and evade someone, which definitely made it a bit easier for me.”

The Dees started strongly and led by 19 points midway through the first term.

The Crows kicked the next four goals to steady and take the lead early in the second quarter.

The scoreboard remained tight in the trying conditions until the home team kicked away in the final term and recorded a hard-earned 25-point win.

“It was a different challenge today coming off a fast track at Etihad Stadium to very trying conditions today,” Thompson said.

“It wasn’t an ideal start. It would’ve been nice to get the jump on Melbourne and have our supporters behind us early, but that wasn’t the case.

“We re-grouped at quarter time. (Coach) Phil (Walsh) was calm and clear with his messaging to the group, which he always is. We slowly worked out way back into the game.

“To win ugly games like that I think is important for the group.”