Cats miss 2023 finals

Chris Scott (Geelong Cats).

The Cats have missed out on this year’s AFL Finals series, following a 33-point loss to St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

The reigning premiers are sitting 11th on the ladder with one game left of the home and away season.

Coach Chris Scott said the team failed to achieve the necessary form this year.

“It’s been a really frustrating year, it doesn’t feel like we’ve been able to really get going at all,” he said.

“Tonight was a bit the same and reflective of our season.

“We were beaten all over the ground, but even though we’ve been struggling, I don’t think there has ever been a situation where I’ve thought our players have given up.

“It’s just really caught up with us tonight.

“The competition’s so even now and it’s such a high standard across the board that you need to be at your best every week to win.”

The Cats will be missing Mitch Duncan for the final match of the season against the Western Bulldogs after he was charged with rough conduct.

The MRO found a first quarter incident with St Kilda’s Jack Higgins was careless, medium impact and high contact.

Ollie Henry has been offered a $3000 fine following a clash with Liam Stoker, while Tom Atkins has also been fined for kicking Jamie Webster.

Scott said he felt when they look back they will see reasons to feel optimistic for the future.

“We made decisions last year that weren’t about ’23 necessarily, they were more about the future.”

The Cats will be looking to make amends and end the season on a positive note when they take on the Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium this Saturday.