Cats vow revenge

Geelong president Frank Costa says Cats fans should still be proud of their team's efforts in 2008 despite Saturday's shock grand final loss to Hawthorn.

The Hawks caused the biggest grand final boilover since Collingwood ended Melbourne's dreams of four flags in a row in 1958 as the Cats' push for back-to-back flags evaporated due to poor kicking for goal, Geelong kicking 11.23 for the match.

The 26-point defeat meant the Cats' brilliant season, in which they lost just one game all year, came to nothing.

But Costa, speaking at the club's post-Grand Final dinner at Melbourne Park, said there was still much to look forward to in 2009.

"Our players have given this club some great emotions in the last two years but today was a disappointing experience," he said.

"There is also pride in the performance of our players and coaches."

As Geelong coach Mark Thompson told Cats fans to get over the loss as quickly as possible, adding the club was in great shape, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said he did not want to see any recriminations as a result of the defeat.

"We win together and we share our losses together," he told the crowd.

"We have to remain loyal, tight and united and the last thing we want to see is any scapegoats."

Cook said he still felt the Cats, who finished four games clear on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season, had been the best team all year.

"But unfortunately today just didn't work for us," he said.

"We were the best team everywhere, except the scoreboard."

"But if we don't use this as a lever for next year, then today has just been wasted."

"We are good enough to win grand finals and we have a team that can and should win grand finals."

"Now we have to aim to make the grand final next year and if we can make three grand finals in a row and win two of them then two out of three is not too bad."