Geelong's Zach Tuohy, Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield contemplate Grand Final defeat against Richmond. Picture: AFL Photos

DEFEATED Geelong coach Chris Scott has paid tribute to back-to-back premier Richmond, declaring "if there’s a dignified way to go down then it’s to go down against the best".

The Tigers were too good for the Cats at the Gabba, overcoming a 22-point deficit in the second quarter to kick away for their third premiership in four seasons.

TIGERS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

Saturday's defeat was the Cats' sixth loss in their past seven clashes against the Tigers since the 2017 qualifying final.

07:54

Highlights: Richmond v Geelong

The Tigers and Cats clash in the 2020 grand final

It was the second consecutive year their season has ended with defeat to the Tigers, following last year's preliminary final at the MCG.

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“I’d like to start in the right spot, which is acknowledging Richmond," Scott said as he started his post-match press conference on Saturday night. 

"They were just too good and have been such a good team over a long period of time, it’s a credit to them."

15:23

Scott: 'They were just too good for us'

An emotional Chris Scott concedes his side were overwhelmed by Richmond's system in the end and stated 'if there's a dignified way to go down, it's to the best'

Scott said he was proud of his players and staff, who approached a season like no other "as well as one could possibly imagine".

“I’m really proud of my players. They keep fronting up, and even though we fell short tonight I’m really proud of them and I hope our supporters are too," he said.

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Scott said he could not imagine being more disappointed after his first Grand Final defeat, having coached the Cats to their 2011 flag in his first season at the helm.

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"It’s going to take a long time to get over," he said.

“I thought the game was there but when it really counted they were just too good for us."

Retiring great Gary Ablett had likely played out his final match with a crack in his injured left shoulder, Scott said, after landing heavily in a tackle from Richmond captain Trent Cotchin.

00:38

Footy world in shock as Ablett and Tiger helped off

An extraordinary and devastating start to the Toyota AFL Grand Final with both Gary Ablett and Nick Vlastuin forced to leave the field early following two heavy collisions

Ablett returned to the ground later in the first quarter and played out the match before leaving the game through a guard of honour.

Describing Richmond's triple Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, Scott said: "In some situations he’s just peerless in the way he plays. He’s so strong, such a good kick and took his chances". 

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