GEELONG is falling down in what defender Andrew Mackie calls arguably the most important facet of the game – goalkicking.

The Cats missed four set shots in the second quarter as they worked themselves back into the game against Collingwood, which shot from the blocks with a seven goals to nil first term.

And inaccuracy was to prove critical, with Geelong eventually managing one more scoring shot than the Magpies despite losing by 24 points.

"We back [the forwards] in to kick the goals," Mackie said.

"They're doing the work and that is all you can do. We just hope sooner rather than later they start going through.

"It's a massive part of the game, arguably the most.

"You want to be kicking goals."

Mackie said the result against Collingwood showed the Cats what could happen to any team when they were a bit off their game.

The triple premiership defender said the most disappointing aspect of the performance was that they did not execute the game-plan they had going into the match.

"When you are off, you're off and you get exposed and that is what happened," Mackie said.

"We got totally outplayed, especially early, and Collingwood were too good."

Mackie said the Cats prepared well and understood how good the Magpies could be when they got their game up and running.

But he also said the Cats knew they could play improve.

"We're just better than that," Mackie said. 

"The things that have been holding us in good stead the last few weeks we let ourselves down in today – winning the footy and the basic stuff that kick-starts our game."