The Giants bowed out of the premiership race after crashing to a six-goal defeat to Richmond, who are through to their first grand final since 1982.

Cameron indicated the Giants would not continue their practice of trading in mature-age recruits, having picked up Brett Deledio, Steve Johnson, Ryan Griffen, Shane Mumford and Heath Shaw in recent seasons.

"I don't think so," Cameron said. "We've done it really well over a couple of years. I think we're in a pretty good spot to develop our list"

With six years under their belt, the Giants do not have as much need for seasoned talent to lead the way for their once-callow list.

Cameron believes the improvement required will come from the likes of youngsters Harry Himmelberg, Harry Perryman and Tim Taranto. Even early draftees Stephen Coniglio, Shiel and Josh Kelly are closer to the start of their careers than the end.

But Cameron said "natural improvement" would not be enough without hard work.

"We have to earn the right to improve. We look forward to that. We'll have our break and come back with an appetite to hit the pre-season hard again and not be left behind," Cameron said.

"The day you rock up and think you've made it is the day you're left behind. We clearly see this competition as even as anything. We need to get five to 10 per cent better to get over that hump of prelims. We'll be keen to do that."

Cameron was rapt with Himmelberg's effort to kick four goals in such an important game, saying he would play a key role next year in attack.

"He's come along really well in the back half of the year. He's a player that can play in all positions. We're excited where he's heading," Cameron said.

"I can clearly see him and Jeremy and Jon working closely together next year. He's only two years into his career, there's some great signs with him, he's got a great appetite. It was a great positive he stood up in front of 95,000 at the MCG."

Cameron refused to blame the injury to Dylan Shiel, who was concussed after a collision with Trent Cotchin, as a factor in the defeat. Cotchin faces a nervous wait to learn if he will be free to play in the grand final.

Shiel had seven possessions in a lively first term but with him injured the Giants not only lost a key midfielder but were deprived a rotation.

"[It's] disappointing. He had a really good first quarter but that's life," Cameron said.

"I'm sure there's lots of sides who have lost players early in the game and come out and won. It was the story of our year with some injuries - you lose players at crucial times."

Cameron said he was proud of his team of again making the preliminary final.

"If you keep rocking up you'll get through. We're a club that plans to rock up," Cameron said.

"We're only in our sixth year, we need to get back to this position next year

"I said to our boys I'd prefer to play in prelims every year because it means you either finish in the top four, which we have two year in a row, and we're playing in the second last week of September. I'll take that any day.

"The challenge for us it go one step better, and we didn't."

Cameron said the Giants' fourth-placed finish on the ladder was an accurate reflection of where the club sat. Since the bye, the only finalist the Giants have beaten was West Coast, twice, with losses to Sydney, Richmond, Geelong and Adelaide.