Cats chief executive Brian Cook has expressed his disappointment at the AFL's announcement that the women's competition will not be expanded for next season.

“Our club is obviously disappointed that there will not be a Geelong Cats team competing in the 2018 AFLW season," Cook said on Tuesday evening.

“We believe we made a good case for expansion and we will continue the work we are doing to grow the game and the investment in our VFL women’s team.

“We were excited that we drew 2,000 people to the first VFL women’s game of the season at Simonds Stadium, and we will continue to develop exciting players that we believe will inspire local players and potential players.

"We have sold over 400 pioneer memberships to our women’s team in just two weeks and we are proud of the backing our supporters have given to our newest team.

“Our club is offering the best facilities available for its women’s team, and we will be doing all we can to join the AFLW as soon as possible.

"We look forward to the day that the AFLW is a league with a Geelong team.”