Mathew Stokes spoke to Cats TV after the Cats’ disappointing loss to Fremantle in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.

Admitting they let themselves and their supporters down, Stokes said the team failed to take advantage of a great opportunity.

“It’s a pretty dour feeling at the moment in the rooms.

“We don’t have much time to mope about it and get too negative; we’ve got a game next week.”

The high intensity Dockers style full of continual tackling and contested ball was a genuine precursor for the remainder of the finals series and one Stokes said the team was prepared for.

“We have played many finals now to understand what’s involved with playing finals footy.

“We didn’t cope with it that well, we muffed up a few opportunities to go forward.”

The Cats earned a second chance and are determined to regroup and take a positive mindset into this week.

“They will probably be a lot of noise outside the footy club about this in a game we were expected to win down here.

“But as a group we’ve got to try and shield that noise and stick together.”

Stokes acknowledged the group will focus heavily on their stoppage work, an aspect in which they were easily beaten.

The Cats will now meet Port Adelaide in a do or die Semi Final on Friday night at the MCG.

“It’s going to be a big clash either way and another opportunity to make a prelim final so hopefully we can stick together, recover well and come ready for next week.”

Click on the video above to catch the full interview with Mathew Stokes.