Geelong defender David Johnson has been charged over a drunken scuffle with police on the eve of the Cats bid to win their first premiership since 1963.

Victoria Police have confirmed they have charged a 25-year-old man from the Geelong suburb of Newtown with three counts of resisting arrest and one count of being drunk.

Police said the man was evicted from a nightclub in Ryrie Street, Geelong about 2.30 this morning and was taken home by police.

Investigators believe the man then returned to the city and attended a nightclub in Moorabool Street.

After leaving the nightclub, the man got into a verbal altercation with another man and two women, police said.

When police arrived the man, believed to be Johnson, ran off and was arrested at the corner of Gheringhap and Malop Street about 4.15.

Police had to use capsicum spray and a baton to subdue the man.

The man was  taken to Geelong Police station where he was interviewed and later charged. He has been bailed to appear at Geelong Magistrate's Court on November 5.

The Geelong Football club today issued a statement confirming Johnson's arrest.

"Defender David Johnson was involved in an incident outside a Geelong night club last night. The police were called and are investigating the matter." Geelong spokesman Kevin Diggerson said.

The club said it would not make any further comment while the incident was still being investigated by police.

Johnson is not in tomorrow's AFL grand final team, but played in Geelong's VFL grand final win last weekend.

Johnson joined Geelong in 2002 and has played 58 senior matches.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Johnson's arrest was disappointing for the club, which had enjoyed a magnificent year.

"If the allegation is correct (Johnson's behaviour) would be silly," Mr Demetriou told 3AW radio.

"Geelong Football Club has done everything magnificently this year.

"They have won every award, they have conducted themselves brilliantly and I'm sure they would be extremely disappointed with that incident that happened overnight."

He said the arrest had let the club down, particularly as it came on the eve of the grand final against Port Adelaide.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

with Sarah-Jane Collins, AAP