Geelong’s core group of multi-premiership veterans are in for a torrid pre-season as the Cats try to return to AFL greatness.

In the wake of their season-ending loss to North Melbourne, Geelong football director Neil Balme confirmed there would be no repeat of the exodus in the past couple of years, when household names such as Paul Chapman, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn and Joel Corey have either retired or been delisted.

The Cats revealed on Saturday that one of their veterans, utility James Kelly, almost did not play in Friday night’s semi-final because of an unspecified issue during the warm-up.

And coach Chris Scott confirmed that Melbourne defender James Frawley is likely to be their only free agency target.

There is massive speculation that Frawley will go to the Cats on a lucrative multi-year deal.

Geelong became the first team since West Coast seven years ago to make the dreaded “straight-sets” exit from September when they lost Friday night’s semi-final to North by six points.

Since their latest premiership in 2011, Geelong have won only one of six finals.

While there is much to still like about the Cats – captain Joel Selwood pointed out their semi-final team featured 10 players under 23 years of age – there are plenty of issues.

Also in his post-match interview, a bitterly-disappointed Selwood put the acid on his experienced teammates.

Several Cats veterans struggled early against North, although they were also prominent in the last term when Geelong nearly overcame a 32-point deficit.

“We need to get better from the top, too,” Selwood said.

“Andrew Mackie, Corey Enright, Steve Johnson, James Kelly need to make that decision.”

Balme continued the theme on Saturday, talking extensively on SEN about the difficulty of deciding when it would be time for their champions to leave the team.

“Most of the older blokes are actually going to go on,” he revealed.

But Balme, like Selwood, also made it clear the heat would be on their veterans like never before.

“Their pre-seasons are going to be harder than they’ve ever been,” Balme said.

“The expectation on them is going to be higher than ever, because they have to play very well to stay in the side.

“Now I reckon we’ll deal with that pretty well.”

In the wake of Friday’s loss, the media spotlight shone harshly on Cats star James Kelly.

His direct opponent Lindsay Thomas kicked three goals in the first term.

But as Balme noted, Kelly played well in the last quarter.

Balme and Scott also revealed Kelly nearly pulled out of the match at the last minute.

“I thought he was fantastic in the one-on-ones late, playing under some duress,” Scott told the ABC.

Scott also told Triple M that they were only looking at one potential free-agent signing.

“If James Frawley doesn’t eventuate, then I guess we’d be open to looking at things in the future,” he said.

“Having said that, we don’t have anything in the pipeline other than James for this season.”

Balme said Frawley would be an obvious boost for their ageing defence, but added his signing was no certainty.

“I’m absolutely truthful – I don’t know whether he’s staying at Melbourne or not,” Balme said.

“I’m no wiser than you are about it.

“But it’s also truthful that we are obviously interested in him.”