Senior players losing form and youngsters out of their depth have been blamed for the sad end to Collingwood's promising AFL season.

Coach Mick Malthouse admitted the second half of Saturday night's preliminary final loss to the Cats, when they were outscored by 62 points to lose 17.18 (120) to 6.11 (47), was "shocking".

But the worrying signs had been building.

"We've fallen away badly in the last few weeks in regard to midfield pressure, midfield clearances and midfield scoring," Malthouse said, adding "four or five players have really just fallen right away".

He did not name them, but there were some obvious big names who disappointed on Saturday night.

Centre-half forward Travis Cloke had no impact.

Likewise, midfielder-forward Leon Davis, whose dismal finals series failed to reflect his All Australian season.

Forward Paul Medhurst did not even make the side, such was his form slump.

Alan Didak tailed off late in the year, after a brilliant middle of the season.

Even Brownlow Medal fancy Dane Swan, who had 30-plus disposals in 16 of the first 20 rounds, did not reach that mark in the last five games, his 17 touches on Saturday night a season low.

The loss of midfield ball-winner Scott Pendlebury in the early minutes of their first final also hit hard.

The eight players with fewer than 50 games AFL experience also struggled against the finals-hardened Cats, none having more than 10 touches.

"At least it's a moment in time they'll be able to say 'We played senior football against the best sides going around,' ... at least it gives them a sighter and that's where we're going to go," Malthouse said.

On their key attacking targets, Malthouse said Cloke was a good footballer who "hasn't displayed a lot of that this year", while John Anthony was undersized.

"If he can go and put 5-6kgs on there's no real difference between him and (Geelong fullback Matthew) Scarlett size-wise, but there's (currently) a vast difference in body strength and experience," he said.

Experienced midfielder Shane O'Bree said the Magpies were not good enough this year, but would learn.

"Our three finals games this year in a pressure sense have been probably the most pressure I've felt over my time," O'Bree said.

"For those younger guys to adapt to that and experience it is good for us going forward.

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