MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Jimmy Bartel of the Cats is hugged by coach Chris Scott after their win during the round 15 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on June 27, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Geelong great Jimmy Bartel has reacted to comments made from Geelong coach Chris Scott about how the former Cat handled contract negotiations in his final season at the club.

Bartel retired at the end of last season after 15 years at Geelong despite activating a trigger clause in his contract for 2017.

However, Geelong didn't want Bartel to continue playing this season, and told him it would be in his best interest not to continue with the club in 2017.

Scott talks about the negotiations on K-Rock in an interview that will go to air this weekend.

"It wasn't perfect - but it wasn't perfect from Jimmy's side either, to be frank," Scott said.

After listening to a portion of the interview, Scott's comments seemed to trouble Bartel, who couldn't understand where the former coach was coming from.

"I'd love for him to elaborate on how he thinks I should have handled it better," Bartel told 3AW.

"I can't speak for Chris Scott (and) he must feel that way, but I don't think I publicly ever said anything against the club or the way it was handled.

"Lots of people made comments around the time and I think that's where people sometimes get confused on how they think I'm feeling, or the way it's being played out and not actually whether I'm being quoted.

"That tends to happen a bit in football."