Geelong veteran Corey Enright says the tears he shed after the losing preliminary final were not because he had played his last match.
Enright, 35, broke down on Friday night as the Cats made their way off the MCG after being crunched by the Sydney Swans.
It wasn't a great night individually for Enright, who unusually fumbled when the pressure was on - an issue that also plagued several of his teammates.
While he was an All-Australian for the sixth time this year, there has been speculation Enright could retire. The three-time premiership star said a final call had yet to be made.
"Not 100 per cent. We still have to have a chat and take the emotion out of it and make a decision from there. There isn't a timeframe on it - just when we see fit between myself and the family and the footy club," he said.
"Obviously, form is one of the factors you take in when you are making those decisions. It, obviously, helps to have some good form behind you."
Asked if playing on was still a key consideration, he replied: "It still is. Haven't ruled anything out at this stage. I am still pretty emotional, it's still pretty raw, just got knocked out of a final. I will take some time to make a decision."
Enright, who has played more matches than any Cat, said he welled up after the defeat for a variety of reasons.
"I think it's a lot of things, to be honest. You put so much effort and energy into, obviously the final, but the season as well. The realisation that you are not going to play in the grand final, so the stakes are big," he said.
"Once you start crying, trying to stop it, it just gets worse and worse."
The Cats have several list-management decisions to consider. Jimmy Bartel, having fulfilled a clause in his contract, can play on but has been told he will spend time in the VFL. Bartel forged his name as a champion midfielder but was used more as defensive forward through the finals.
Steven Motlop is available for trade after another inconsistent season, with the Cats hoping for a first-round selection in return. Mitch Clark, who is off contract, is unlikely to return, while Nathan Vardy is set to be traded, with Essendon linked to the big man.
The Cats are in need of more midfield run to help Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield and skipper Joel Selwood.
Dangerfield, having enjoyed his first year with the Cats since crossing from Adelaide, said his bond with his new teammates would be stronger next year.
"I think we will be a better team next year and I think that is simply because we would have spent more time together, that cohesion will be stronger because we will have played more than five games, more than 15 games, more than 24 [together]. The more time we spend together the better we will understand each other's game. That takes time," he said.
"People had written off Adelaide this season but they had forgotten those players had spent a very long period of time together at the right age. I wasn't surprised with the success they had because they understand each other's games. That's what we will look to over the pre-season and will look to improve on next season."
