MATCH COVERAGE: North Melbourne holds on against Geelong to book preliminary final berth
Geelong became the first top-four team to fail in two finals in seven years on Friday night, losing to North Melbourne by six points.
On the surface, a winless finals campaign will be tough to swallow.
But even the most hard to please Cats supporters can wake this morning feeling proud of 2014 - a season when Chris Scott guided his re-building side to third on the ladder. 
Josh Caddy was one of Geelong's best players on Friday night. Photo: Getty
The club has refused to follow the footy script.
Consider Western Bulldogs and St Kilda's plight since they were premiership contenders in 2010. Both clubs threw everything at clinching an elusive flag, but still couldn't do what the Cats have done thrice.
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But playing in September is one thing. Winning is another.
Geelong has an alarmingly poor record in finals since winning the 2011 premiership.
In the three seasons since then, the Cats have played in six finals but have lost five of them. Their only victory was in last year's close-run semi-final against Port Adelaide at the MCG.
Defeats were against Fremantle (2012 elimination final and 2013 qualifying final), Hawthorn (2013 preliminary final and 2014 qualifying final) and North Melbourne (2014 semi-final).
Would Geelong have beaten North Melbourne if Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly were still in blue and white hoops?
Probably. However the Cats will be stronger in 2015 for their absence.
It allowed young forwards Mitch Brown and Josh Walker to play in a top AFL side.
Walker kicked 3.1 against the Roos and showed he can perform in finals. He might be enigmatic, but will only benefit from playing in September.
In fact, most of the next generation impressed on Friday night. Josh Caddy inspired the late first-quarter surge on his way to a breakout night, Cam Guthrie shut Daniel Wells out of the game and Mark Blicavs tried his guts out in the first half, when many of his experienced team-mates were well beaten.
Hosting eight games at Kardinia Park holds an almost unfair advantage. And pretty much guarantees a top six finish next year.
Mark Blicavs competed hard as Geelong's sole ruckman. Photo: Getty
The possible recruitment of James Frawley would see the backline go from strength.
There is plenty of gains to be had from within too.
Nathan Vardy and Shane Kersten look set to be permanent figures in the forward line next year and the youngish midfield will get better before it gets worse.
Don't forget a bloke named Daniel Menzel, and what he showed during the 2011 finals.
But for Geelong to return to grand final day, its next crop must rise to the level of retired champions such as Matthew Scarlett, Brad Ottens, Cameron Ling and Joel Corey.
If that happens, there could be more silverware yet.