Hayden Crozier may have just played his best game yet in Bulldogs colours, but it was his touching tribute to Port Adelaide teenager Todd Marshall that warmed the heart of fans on both sides of the divide on Thursday night.

Fans at the Adelaide Oval gave a standing ovation for the 19-year-old at the 13 minute-mark of the first term in recognition of his return after a pair of family tragedies.

Crozier, standing Marshall at the time, went over, put his arm around his opponent and gave him a pat on the chest.

“How lovely is that,” Channel Seven commentator remarked.

The former Docker was shining light in defence on a tough night across the border; Dogs fans seeing why the Club was so keen to lure him across from Western Australia during last year’s trade period.

Crozier missed rounds 2-5 after suffering a medial injury in the season opener against the Giants, but was back playing with his trademark confidence, collecting 21 touches and taking eight marks across half-back.

“I’m slowly building, he told westernbulldogs.com.au post-match.

“It was obviously disappointing with my knee injury at the start of the year which wasn’t handy, five minutes into Round 1 is never ideal.

“I was a little bit slow to get going after that but I think I’ve been defending quite well.

“it was just the offensive stuff that I need to get used to a little bit, just using my legs, especially coming off four weeks off probably isn’t ideal but I worked has hard as I could in rehab to get back.”

The Bulldogs return to Etihad Stadium next Saturday night to take on North Melbourne.