“Bitterly disappointed” Geelong coach Chris Scott has issued a call to arms, pointing to their AFL consistency and urging the Cats to challenge again next season.
Scott admitted he would rather have wallowed in bed than turn up for Sunday morning’s club family day, the day after Brisbane smashed his team in the second half for a 47-point grand final win.
While the Cats were left lamenting an opportunity lost, they have finished outside the finals only three times in the past two decades.
In that time they have won four premierships – only Brisbane have won more this century.
“We’ve had plenty of forks in the road, if you like, over the last decade or two. There was the possibility that we turn up our toes and go through a bit of a rebuilding process, and accept the best was behind us,” Scott told Geelong fans.
“We’re just not prepared to concede that – and it’s pretty safe to say I speak for everyone when I say we’re not prepared to concede now, either.
“We’re bitterly disappointed. In this game, sometimes all you can ask for is to give yourself a chance. Our players and our club did that for us this year.
“It didn’t work out yesterday, but even when we reflect on the last 12 months, it wasn’t as if everything went our way. There were plenty of challenges that we were good enough to overcome.”
Scott added his emotions had been “up and down” over the previous 24 hours, but he is up for the fight.
“Even though it feels so raw now – it normally takes me a little bit longer than this – but I feel … I’m ready for the work, to give ourselves a chance again next year,” he said.
Scott also praised the club’s unity and urged the Geelong faithful to keep sticking with them.
“In moments like these, the temptation is to focus on the things that we didn’t do well. At least internally, I’m just so confident that everyone has each other’s back,” he said.
“You’re better than I am. If I had my way, or in a weak moment, I’d still be in bed with the doona pulled over my head.
“Even when we frustrate you, stick with us. We really appreciate it.”
Geelong will reportedly try to lure Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow and St Kilda ruck-forward Rowan Marshall in the upcoming trade period.
Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron missed Sunday morning’s function – he was in hospital for tests after fracturing his right forearm in the grand final.
He suffered the injury in a collision with captain Patrick Dangerfield, who likewise told Geelong fans that their team would rally from Saturday’s bitter loss.
“It’s tough and it will ferment over the summer period, but those tough periods are the reason it’s all worth it when you get it right. It’s why it means so much,” he said.
After the game, Dangerfield had said Geelong would have to “sit in” the disappointment of their grand final capitulation and then ensure they don’t let it hold them back.
“The hard part is there’s no guarantees in any given season,” he said.
“It’s everyone that starts again from the blocks, and just because you’ve had a reasonable season one year, there are no guarantees the next.
“So I think it’s important that you sit in it for a little bit, that as difficult as it may be, together this piece is really important.”
This year, Sydney slumped after their horror 10-goal loss to Brisbane in the 2024 grand final.
Dangerfield conceded the disappointment could hang over the team – but it was worth it to consistently be in contention.
“Look, I think it’s going to hang around regardless,” he said.
“That’s the feeling you get when you make it to the last day of September and you don’t quite get there.”
Dangerfield was adamant there wasn’t too much Geelong, who finished second on the ladder, needed to tweak.
“When you make it this far and then you don’t quite execute, you don’t need to throw everything away,” he said.
