GWS coach Adam Kingsley is urging the Giants to embrace the heartache of falling short of a maiden premiership again.
Given a timely reminder of last year's straight-sets finals exit by Kingsley in preparation for a sudden-death clash against Hawthorn, GWS were out to find redemption in September.
Instead, the Hawks closed the curtains on the Giants with a 19-point triumph at Engie Stadium.
In a reverse of last year's misfortunes when they had twice fumbled a comfortable lead, GWS set up a nailbiting finish when they clawed back a 42-point deficit in the third quarter.
After coughing up a 28-point lead to lose by six points to Sydney in a 2024 qualifying final, the Giants suffered a semi-final loss at home to the Brisbane Lions after building a 44-point lead over the eventual premiers.
In Saturday's clash, Jesse Hogan's third goal squared the ledger at 13.7 (85) early in the fourth, but the Hawks rose to the challenge.
The Giants haven't won a finals match since a semi-final victory over Port Adelaide in 2023.
GWS are likely to start next year's campaign for a maiden flag without talented small forward Darcy Jones, who suffered a suspected ACL injury in the second quarter.
Still, Kingsley is refusing to let his side be disheartened.
"The message is keep putting yourself in that position," Kingsley said.
"Keep putting you in a position where you can fail on the big stage and be incredibly disappointed.
"If you're not there, you'll never feel it.
"We've got to just work our backsides off over the summer again to get back into finals and put ourselves in a position where, who knows?
"We may lose next year and be disappointed again but, that's where we need to get to."
Jones hurt his right knee after he landed awkwardly following an attempted tackle on Massimo D'Ambrosio.
The 21-year-old was in tears and consoled by Kingsley on the sidelines.
He had a goal from five touches to his name before he was replaced by Josh Kelly, on return from a calf injury.
"Hopefully, it's not as bad as what we suspected," Kingsley said.
"It was incredibly disappointing to lose him. It impacted our front half danger.
"He was lively, he was up the field running and bouncing. His pressure was really important for us."
