As disheartening as Geelong’s AFL qualifying final performance was, Patrick Dangerfield says it doesn’t change the Cats’ finals equation.

The reigning Brownlow Medallist put the brightest possible spin on their 51-point loss to Richmond on Friday night.

“The predicament for us doesn’t really change. We need to win three games,” he said from the Geelong rooms at the MCG.

The Cats used up their double chance on Friday night at the MCG, falling away drastically in the final term to lose by 51 points to a rampaging Richmond.

As late as time-on in the third quarter, Geelong were still in it.

Tom Hawkins’ sole goal for the evening had the Cats just seven points from the Tigers.

Then Dustin Martin stamped his authority on the contest and Geelong were sunk.

“We weren’t great around the ball. Our precision inside wasn’t at the level it should be. Richmond’s was,” Dangerfield said.

“We weren’t able to get on the scoreboard and obviously you need to kick a winning score.

“It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”

The slip-up drops Geelong into the tougher side of the finals draw.

Instead of a week off and a home preliminary final, Geelong will be back at the MCG next Friday night against Sydney or Essendon.

The Cats will fancy their chances against the Bombers but know that the Swans, who they have lost four of their last five games to, present an incredibly tough proposition.

Dangerfield said the key was pushing their effort against the Tigers to one side and re-grouping.

“This is not the time of year to feel sorry for yourself … for us it’s about getting back to work and putting in a performance we know we’re capable of.”

“We can’t dwell on it for too long.

“We’ve got to be able to park that really quickly … because that Friday night match will come around really fast.”