Chris Scott has struggled to explain the impact of Geelong assistant coach Steven King's health scare, saying he does not want it to sound like an excuse.
King was released from hospital on Saturday, the day after he collapsed at training.
He was resting at home on Saturday night as the Cats lost their pulsating AFL preliminary final to Brisbane by 10 points at the MCG.
King's absence meant a juggling of roles around Scott in the Geelong coaches' box.
"It's really hard to talk about, because I don't have the presence of mind at the moment to explain it in a way that wouldn't sound like we were making an excuse," the Cats senior coach said after the game.
"Kingy has been a super addition to our coaching group, been fantastic for us this year, and he'll be disappointed he wasn't a part of it.
"But he's just another example - and there are heaps within our footy department - who are going to have to pull themselves together."
King, 45, returned to Geelong this season as an assistant coach after captaining them, also playing in their drought-breaking 2007 premiership.
Previously an assistant at the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast, King is one of the main contenders to coach West Coast.
"He's going to be a fine coach, as a head coach, at some point. But if he's not and he's with us next year, I'm looking forward to working with him, in the same way I'm looking forward to working with (first-year player) Lawson Humphries," Scott said.
"It doesn't feel that way at the moment, but it does feel like we have a bit to look forward to."
In a club statement, Cats football boss Andrew Mackie had said King would take some time to rest and recover.
"First and foremost the club's priority has been Steven's health and providing support to his family," Mackie said.
"We are pleased he is now at home"
Scott had previously said on Friday that the incident was "quite confronting".
"It's upsetting and it has an impact on the players," Scott said.
"I don't take the view with these things that you've got to pretend that something isn't happening. What we've got to do is just deal with where we are.
"Again, the feedback's really positive, so we will do our best to focus on that positive."
