COLLINGWOOD utility Leigh Brown said the Magpies' 73-point preliminary final capitulation at the hands of Geelong was an incorrect representation of their year as a whole.

A shattered Brown, 27, said it was hard to describe just how – or why – the Pies' season ended in such a fashion on Saturday night at the MCG.

"We let ourselves down, we let our supporters down ... there are no words to describe it other than it wasn't great", he said.

"I thought we started okay and that our first half was good. Our pressure was up and we probably missed a few shots, and I'm a culprit of that. But I have no idea what happened after that.

"We just didn't play as a team tonight, and that's the most disappointing thing because it didn't reflect our season at all."

Brown said the players' second-half lethargy had nothing to do with the fact they played their semi-final against Adelaide in unseasonal heat a week earlier.

"Our performance just wasn't there," he said. "We've had a great season and we had set ourselves really high, and it just felt like we fell short.

"Our structures fell away, and us players have to take responsibility for that.

"We talk about it in meetings all the time, and it's just disappointing we let it slip."

Brown came to Collingwood this season on a one-year deal after being discarded by North Melbourne following six years of service.

He said he was optimistic coach Mick Malthouse, who has been a big supporter throughout the season, had a role planned for him in 2010.

"I'll worry about it later on, but I'm always hopeful," he said.

"Footy's a funny game. It was taken away from me last year, and I played this year with no regrets and every game as if it was my last.

"Hopefully there are a few more to come next year and beyond, but I've just got to get over this at the moment.

Brown praised his new coach and club, saying everything had been done to make him feel at home.

"It's been exciting. I've played some good footy at times and I've probably been a little bit more consistent than in previous years.

"But I could have kicked a few more goals if I'd kicked straighter."