THIS wasn't the time for Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron to mince his words – so he didn't.

Cameron had just watched his usually high-octane Giants kick five goals in a 33-point defeat to Hawthorn in what was their 14th loss in 16 trips to the MCG.

He twice referred to his players' mentality, first while emphatically ruling out any physical excuse, then when responding to a question about his team's sizeable gap between its best and worst.

HAWKS STUN GIANTS  Full match coverage and stats

Cameron described what GWS dished up as "tripe" and said his players' effort "wasn't up to AFL standard", while praising the Hawks' defensive gameplan and their superior ability to execute.

"We're disappointed for the 14,636 people who came out and watched the game," he said.

"Hawthorn obviously was there, they delivered on their behalf, but we didn't deliver on our behalf. We haven't had a performance like that for a long time.

"So myself and our coaching staff and our players have to put our hand up and take full responsibility for that, because it was unacceptable – totally unacceptable."

Cameron batted away mid-week inquiries about GWS's struggles at the home of football, but he wasn't able to muster a comeback after this latest effort.

He was more concerned with his players' lethargy and even a lack of "effort", but the fact the performance came at the MCG was unavoidable.

WATCH Leon Cameron's full post-match press conference

"We've had our worst performance for a long time, on the MCG, so I understand what the headlines are going to be, so I can't sit here and deny that," Cameron said.

"We've clearly got to look at when we come to Melbourne and when we come to the MCG.

"The record needs to be a bit better there but also better when we come to Melbourne, whether we play at Marvel or the MCG.

"We seem to have had a few issues over the last couple of years."

Returning Hawthorn defender James Frawley held Jeremy Cameron goalless, but was also reported for rough conduct when he shoved the Giants spearhead over the boundary and into the fence.

Cameron said he didn't see the incident, but that Cameron (shoulder) was "really sore" and would need the full week to recover sufficiently to face Carlton.

"Frawley defended well. Jeremy would be the first one to put up his hand," the coach said.

"One thing I will say about 'Jezza' is he kept on battling on and he wouldn't come off, so we need that seven days to see where he's going to be at for next week, but he's so hard and tough.

"I thought he was one player who just kept on flying the flag, even though he didn't hit the scoreboard."

Zac Williams passed a concussion test after copping an accidental knee to the head from former Giant Tom Scully, while Zac Langdon also returned in the final term from a foot issue.