In a nutshell

The Giants overcame another season of injury troubles to win three tough games in September and make their first Grand Final from sixth, but fell well short of expectations on the big day against Richmond. 

What we said in the pre-season

We were spot on in predicting that stars Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio wouldn't walk out on GWS, but our call of Kelly to win the Brownlow Medal was derailed by his calf issue. We tipped Zac Williams as a surprise All Australian and he was desperately unlucky not to make the 40-man squad, let alone the team.

What worked 

Player retention
Big names Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Nick Haynes were among the Giants to re-commit to the club in 2019, as they continued to keep the stars in Sydney.

A trio of athletic talls
Jeremy Cameron (76 goals), Jeremy Finlayson (44) and Harry Himmelberg (38) combined brilliantly all season and should be even better next year with a full season of working together under the belt.

Finals aggression
They were ferocious in finals wins against the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Collingwood, and added consistent toughness to their obvious talent, especially late in the year.

OH, JEREMY Every Giant rated from the Grand Final

What failed

Grand Final gambles
The Giants played Phil Davis, Lachie Whitfield and Matt De Boer in the decider and while all three battled hard, it was clear the trio weren't fully fit.

Injury prevention 
A strong season hit some hurdles after the bye with a host of calf and hamstring issues seeing several key players miss multiple games in the lead-up to the finals.

Heath Shaw's retirement plan
The gun defender planned to win a flag and sail off into the sunset, but he'll be back for a 16th season in 2020, and the game will be better for it.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Heath Shaw shelves retirement plans

Overall rating

B+

The Giants took a major step by getting to the last day of the year and despite the way it ended, it was an outstanding season.

The coach

Talk of Leon Cameron's position being in jeopardy mid-season was off the mark and he proved it by guiding his team to a Grand Final. Contracted until the end of 2020, an extension should come over summer or early next season.

GIANTS DON'T SCAR Grand Final flop won't define us, says coach

MVP

Jeremy Cameron: The Coleman medallist booted a club-record 76 goals at an average of 3.2 from his 24 games. A brilliant season from the athletic key forward who won his second All Australian blazer. 

Surprise packet

Jeremy Finlayson: The former defender was swung forward in a shock move by Leon Cameron and finished the season with 44 goals in a breakout year.

Get excited

Bobby Hill: Became a cult figure at the Giants in his debut season and showed plenty in his eight games. Pace to burn, and after a full pre-season he'll be one to watch in 2020.

Disappointment

Jon Patton: Recovered from a knee reconstruction and was fit to play for the last couple of months of the season but chose not to make himself available for selection. Puzzling situation. Looks likely to move to Hawthorn during the trade period.

Best win

Preliminary final: Giants 8.8 (56) d. Brisbane 7.10 (52)
With Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield, Callan Ward and Brett Deledio all missing, the Giants stunned the heavily backed Pies at the MCG to win their way to a maiden Grand Final. 

Best individual performance 

Jeremy Cameron: Round three v Richmond
The gun forward kicked 7.5 from 30 disposals and took nine marks against the Tigers at Giants Stadium, in a dazzling display. It was a sign of what was to come for the rest of 2019.

Low point

An injury crisis threatened to derail the Giants' flag hopes late in the year when they went goalless in the second half for the second week running and were thrashed by 58 points by the Dogs in round 22. 

The big questions 

Have we seen the last of Shane Mumford?

Will the Giants extend Leon Cameron's contract over summer or wait until next season?

Can the club continue its good record of retention and re-sign Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield and Zac Williams?

Season in a movie title

Save the Last Dance (to the memory bank): If we know the players like we think we do, the Giants' Grand Final heartbreak will fuel a monster pre-season.

Who's done?

Retirements: Brett Deledio, Dawson Simpson

Delistings: TBC

Unsigned free agents: Dylan Buckley (rookie), Adam Tomlinson, Tommy Sheridan

WHO'S HANGING UP THE BOOTS? Your club's retirements and delistings

How should they approach trade and draft period? 

The Giants look like recruiting Sam Jacobs to add ruck depth and have a strong draft hand, so should use that to add some outside run to the list, to complement their big batch of tough inside mids. 

Early call for 2020

The Giants were embarrassed on Grand Final day but led by co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward, they have the culture and resilience to respond in positive fashion and make sure they're alive on the last day in September next year.