MARCUS Bontempelli has responded after Bailey Smith fired an unprompted shot at his old club ahead of Geelong's big Thursday night clash with the Western Bulldogs later this month.

Moments after Smith had been high among the Cats' best in their epic Saturday night win over Collingwood, he contrasted the atmosphere of a packed MCG to the Bulldogs' win over Port Adelaide earlier in the day.

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Whereas Smith played in front of more than 80,000 fans, the Bulldogs-Port game featured less than 5000 because of building works at the Ballarat venue.

"It's beautiful ... I'm not getting that at Ballarat," Smith told Fox Footy after Geelong's nail-biting 13.12 (90) to 12.15 (87) triumph.

On Sunday morning, Bontempelli said Smith's comments will make the clash between the two sides on May 22 at GMHBA Stadium "even more interesting".

"Very interesting by Bailey ... it's nice to know we're still on Bailey's mind. He's still thinking about us, even at another team," Bontempelli told Channel 7.

"There's probably a few less people down in Ballarat to flip the bird to, so maybe that's why he's a little bit disappointed.

"It makes round 11 even more interesting, which I think we'll all be looking forward to.

"Everyone loves a bit of theatre in the game so we'll be happy to provide the same as we get closer."

Following Bontempelli's comments on Sunday morning, Smith later responded on Instagram.

Smith joined Geelong from the Bulldogs in last year's trade period and has not shied from controversy, fined for flipping the bird against Adelaide in Gather Round and again against Hawthorn on Easter Monday.

But Smith also continues to walk the walk with a game-high 34 possessions against Collingwood, while Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield was best afield after his outstanding last term.

Dangerfield was pivotal in the Cats rallying from 20 points down in the third quarter to be 17 up late in the last term.

Collingwood then stormed home and fell short by three points, with Jack Crisp's shot at goal after the final siren only scoring a behind.

Dangerfield's ferocious attack on the ball had Cats coach Chris Scott comparing him to a New Zealand rugby legend.

"He looked like Jonah Lomu there at one stage," Scott said.

"He can attack the ball in the air, but that ground level stuff, I'm a bit biased - I like those players, the (Jordan) De Goey-type players, powerful, bull-at-a-gate."

Collingwood coach Craig McRae jokingly feared he might have poked the bear before the game.

"I stole his park before the game and he wasn't happy. I blame myself - he's a bloody good player, isn't he," McRae said.

"He's a battering ram. He just bee-lines you and runs through you.

"Right now, he's just an igniter ... you need big players to stand up in big moments and he was fantastic."