Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has criticised Geelong star Gary Ablett's performance during Friday night's elimination final loss to Melbourne.

The 34-year old finished with 27 disposals, the second most of any player, six tackles and four clearances.

And while some experts have commended the two-time Brownlow Medallist's game in an otherwise disappointing night for Geelong, Cornes did not see it that way.

โ€œHeโ€™s been getting praised for his performance, but I thought it was a safe game from Gary Ablett,โ€ Cornes toldย SENโ€™s Crunch Time.

โ€œI thought his tackling was quite tentative, in the second half his numbers were ok but I thought he was tentative."

The Cats have now won three of their past 12 finals under coach Chris Scott, and Cornes believes their entire midfield was dysfunctional.

โ€œTheyโ€™re a poor midfield side,โ€ Cornes said.

โ€œTheyโ€™ll have to address how the names theyโ€™ve got in there and the combinations they continually throw in there, continues not to work against good sides who are strong around the ball.

โ€œJoel Selwood has shown that he can get shut down when he has close attention, Patrick Dangerfield was off and Mitch Duncan was poor as well.

โ€œWhen they donโ€™t fire, look out.

โ€œItโ€™s been Geelongโ€™s issue all year. Those names are good, but they arenโ€™t getting it done.โ€