Shaun Mannagh wasn't just paying tribute to an AFL great, he was acknowledging a pivotal person in his career.
After slotting his third goal in a 54-point demolition of Collingwood on Saturday night, the Geelong forward celebrated in style.
Mannagh's brilliant kick from a pocket in the last quarter went straight through at the Punt Road end of the MCG, prompting an imitation of Brisbane Lions legend Jason Akermanis' famous goal at the Gabba in 2005.
The 28-year-old put his right hand on his mouth and his left to the top of his head, mimicking the aftermath of an instant classic Akermanis kicked against Geelong in 2005.
Lions forward Eric Hipwood also brought out the Akermanis celebration following his miracle goal up the other end of the MCG in the 2024 grand final win over Sydney.
For Mannagh, it was always something he intended to do.
A revelation since being drafted as a 26-year-old, a teenaged Mannagh played under Akermanis at North Albury in the Ovens and Murray Football League.
"I'm really close to Aker," Mannagh said.
"He's an old coach of mine coming through North Albury; he took me under his wing and taught me a lot.
"I wouldn't be here today (in the AFL) without him in my footy journey.
"I've probably had that in the pocket for five, six, seven years now, and I've never brought it out, so it was nice to give that one to him.
"He's kicked a few goals from pockets like that in the past."
Mannagh isn't the only mature-aged success story on Geelong's list, the Cats having just celebrated five-time All-Australian Tom Stewart's 200th game.
"(Stewart) was the first person to contact me from the Geelong Cats, other than Scotty (coach Chris Scott)," Mannagh said.
"As soon as I got drafted, he rang me that night saying congratulations and welcome to the club.
"First day I walked through the doors, he was there, and he's always there to lean on.
"Our stories overlap a little bit in terms of being mature aged, so we get around him as much as much as possible and I feel really privileged to play with him."