While the Cats finished second after the home and away rounds – behind only Sydney on percentage – the real gap between the two clubs was laid bare on Friday night as the Swans won their preliminary final clash by 37 points. The loss sparked discussion about just where Geelong sits before next season – and about their list-management strategy over the all-important next two months.

Tears shed by club games record-holder Corey Enright after Friday night's match led some – including former teammate Cameron Ling on Channel Seven – to speculate that the defeat would be his last appearance in the blue and white hoops. Enright, 35, is uncontracted for next season, although his form remains excellent – evidenced by his All-Australian selection this year.

Geelong said on Saturday they were not expecting an imminent announcement from the champion defender. The trend in recent years has been for veteran Cats to wait for the dust to settle on their season before making their retirement call public.

Jimmy Bartel – who turns 33 in December – has activated a trigger clause guaranteeing him a Cats contract for 2017 if he wishes to continue, but is also yet to confirm whether he will play next season.

One man the Cats missed on Friday night was Menzel – with the classy forward forced to the sidelines with a groin injury. The Cats haven't announced a new deal for Menzel, 25, but having finished third in the club's goalkicking with 33 goals from 18 games, it's understood Menzel is set to sign a contract extension at the club that stood by him through four knee reconstructions.

Fellow forward Steven Motlop is contracted until the end of 2017, but it's believed the Cats would be willing to part with the livewire for the right deal. Out-of-favour talls Shane Kersten and Nathan Vardy are both without deals for 2016 and could be leaving the Cattery. Kersten has been linked with a move back to Western Australia. Josh Cowan and Mitch Clark are also out-of-contract. Cowan played the last nine games of Geelong's season and appears to be in the Cats' plans, but the troubled Clark is almost certainly finished as an AFL player. Veteran defender Tom Lonergan is another without a deal for next year, but said earlier in the year that he hoped to play in 2017.

Geelong have been linked to injury-riddled Richmond star Brett Deledio, who is contracted to the Tigers for next season and has insisted he wants to stay at Punt Road.

Meanwhile Cats chief executive Brian Cook told SEN on Friday night that the Cats would move to extend coach Chris Scott's contract over the summer. The 2011 premiership coach's current deal expires at the end of next season. Geelong had a relatively good run with injuries this year but should regain small forward Cory Gregson and backman Jackson Thurlow after their season-ending ailments suffered earlier in 2016.