CHRIS Scott has labelled criticism of Geelong's recent finals record "a bit lazy" after the Cats fell to yet another loss in the opening week of finals.

The Cats were inundated by a ruthless Power outfit in the third term of Thursday night's qualifying final and failed to recover. 

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It leaves their record at 1-7 in the first week of finals since their 2011 flag. 

However, the Geelong coach said it was too simple to draw comparisons with recent seasons. 

"I didn't think we crumbled under the pressure," Scott said following the 16-point defeat. 

"I don't think we'd look at the way we played and think there were fundamental problems with the game style. 

"It's a privilege to be under that pressure, it's hard work to get here and I thought we had our chances. 

"I think the criticism is a bit lazy personally, but we'd like to win more finals."

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Since the 2011 premiership, one that came in Scott's first year at the helm, the Cats have won just four of their past 16 finals.

Scott said character built throughout 2020 would drive Geelong into next week's semi-final to be played against the winner of the West Coast-Collingwood elimination final. 

"This year we've performed well under adversity," Scott said. 

"We've had our patches where we haven't gone that well and bounced back, both post-games and within games. 

"I've got a lot of faith in the character of our group. 

"If we don't perform well (next week), I'd be very, very surprised if we look back and thought, 'The character and the strength of will was the biggest issue'. 

"I've got a lot of confidence in the resilience and the capacity of our players."

Speaking last week, Scott hinted that the Cats would opt to play their next final at the Gabba.

He also defended Tom Hawkins' wayward performance in front of goal that produces 0.5 with the 2020 Coleman medallist taking more forward 50 marks than Port Adelaide combined (four).

Scott added that he his passionate dialogue with the umpires at half-time was in relation to a query he had over who had been chosen to bounce the ball at centre stoppages.