GWS dasher Zac Williams says the Giants will learn from their 2019 AFL grand final loss and look to build on the progress they made this year.
The Giants progressed to their maiden AFL decider this year but flopped on the big stage, losing to Richmond by 89 points.
“We had a chat to Leon (Cameron), just our normal team meeting after the game and he just touched on how proud he was of the boys to come this far and all the hurdles that we had to overcome this year,” Williams said post-match.
“So we spoke about Richmond and that’s what we aspire to. They’ve been a quality team for the last few years so they’re a powerhouse and that’s what we want to be in the next coming years.”
Williams praised his side’s resilience and said the Giants could take a lot out of how they performed in their first three finals.
“The back end of the year we had a few injuries with a few key players,” Williams said.
“But we got them back and just our resilience to I think just keep kicking along in finals (was impressive).
“And everyone didn’t back us right from the first final so for us to come all the way to the grand final and match up against a big powerhouse like Richmond, I think just that resilient side of things.
“And I think we take away from this that a lot of the boys have got a lot of courage as well and we’ve just got to hit the ground running come pre-season and look forward to 2020.
Williams said he believed the thrill of qualifying for the club’s first grand final – and the disappointing nature of the loss – would hold GWS in good stead for next year.
“Look, last game of the year so we’ll enjoy our time together and support each other over the next few weeks leading into off-season,” he said.
“But pre-season every year you take it that one step further, especially for us older boys that have been there a long time. I think we’ve got to set the standard and hit the ground running day one of pre-season.
“But making the grand final and losing a grand final, I think that’s only going to spark a few things in the boys and we’ll just reflect over the next few weeks and then we’ll talk about pre-season.”
