GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron believes his side requires a reality check this summer, not a list overhaul, after its disappointing season came to an abrupt end on Friday night.
The Giants conceded seven successive goals as they slumped to a third straight defeat in a dismal 52-point loss to the Saints at the Gabba, ruling a line through any chance of the club remaining in the finals picture this weekend.
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It also ended any faint hopes of the competition's newest expansion side repeating last year's brave run to the Grand Final, with the club now facing the daunting task of keeping a host of uncontracted stars this summer.
Lockdown defender Aidan Corr has already informed the club of his desire to explore his free agency rights, while a number of other key players – including Jeremy Cameron, Zac Williams, Harry Perrman, Jye Caldwell and Jackson Hately – are also uncontracted.
However, according to Cameron, starting fresh with a new-look squad is not necessary next year, as the club looks to put "one big disappointing season" where it "didn't fire much of a shot" behind them.
"I think everyone has to take a big deep breath," Cameron said.
"It's a unique year, as we know. We've got to be careful in making decisions without all of the facts, in terms of list sizes. It's going to play a huge part in that. No doubt it'll come down a little bit.
"We've clearly got a couple of boys that we want to sign-up and we've got some big decisions that we've got to make with those guys over the next month or so, with that pending.
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"I don't think it'll be a huge list turnover. I think it's a correction year and I'd be disappointed if we can't bounce back next year.
"There's no doubt there will be some changes, though. We've already seen a couple in Tom Sheridan (who has retired) and there will be a couple of others as well. Naturally, one or two will explore free agency.
"But I don't see it as a huge list overhaul. I see it as our players needing to understand that you can't have four really hard years of work, then serve up that for most of the year.
"I think we've still got a great list that can really challenge, but we clearly have to regain the respect of the footy public because we've lost it in six months."
For St Kilda, the victory secured the club's return to finals after a nine-year wait. However, for coach Brett Ratten, making the top eight is just the beginning in terms of the side's ambition this season.
"It's interesting … you set the bar at the start of the year that you want to play finals," Ratten said.
"That's part of the journey, but it's not the destination. The destination is 'how far can you go?' That's in our hands again, whoever we play.
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"We were talking about opportunity, because that's what you want to do. You want to make it to give yourself that chance. We've done that.
"Our list is pretty health. Hopefully Zak Jones is back for the first final, which would be great, and we've got no injuries tonight. That's really important as well."
