Geelong coach Chris Scott has quashed rumours Cats forward Dan Menzel was dropped for disciplinary reasons.
But the coach admits he might have erred in leaving Menzel out of the qualifying final side that lost to Richmond.
The 25-year-old was second on the club's goal-kicking list at the end of the home-and-away season and his omission from the team beaten by 51 points has been a big talking point.
"In retrospect -- and we've come up with a few things in retrospect -- yeah we could have played him," Scott told Fox Footy's AFL 360.
"But we had 38 entries, that's the other thing you have to consider if you're looking at it in totality. The full forward's not going to help with the entries.
"But I don't think that decision contributed to the lack of supply in our forward half."
Menzel is out of contract at the end of the year and his surprise axing sparked speculation all was not well at the Cattery.
Not so, according to the coach.
"There are rumours sort of swirling out there," he replied when asked if Menzel's omission was disciplinary.
"I think there are some mischievous people who push agendas that aren't factual.
"But it's a pretty simple answer, that one, the answer is no.
"I think people are disappointed -- it's a bit the same with us. You search for the reasons why (we lost). I think some people are deliberately mischievous and tell mistruths but when you actually don't know the reasons why you get a certain performance some people just choose to make up the reasons."
Skipper Joel Selwood didn't have his usual impact on the contest in his first game back from ankle surgery, but Scott said he had pulled up well and would be better for the run.
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