Greater Western Sydney remain on the cusp of greatness and will gain plenty from back-to-back AFL preliminary final defeats, according to Luke Hodge.
GWS started 2017 as flag favourites but their injury-marred campaign ended in the penultimate week of the season yet again.
Pundits have attacked the expansion club in recent days, questioning coach Leon Cameron's gameplan and selections, players' supposed lack of desire, the output of high-profile veterans plus several other factors in their failed bid for a maiden flag.
Four-time premiership star Hodge, who ended his decorated playing career at Hawthorn this year, can't understand the criticism that has followed the Giants' loss to Richmond.
"You can't fault a team that has been in a prelim for two years in a row. People are just picking fights where I don't think they should be," Hodge told reporters at the Giants' grand final lunch.
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"To play in front of 94,000 people at the MCG is something ... they will never forget.
"Next time they get to that situation, whether it be a prelim or a grand final, they're going to be a lot more prepared for it."
Hodge added Cameron, one of a handful of head coaches to have cut his teeth as an assistant to Hawks mentor Alastair Clarkson, was a smart operator.
"Knowing Leon, I'd back him in," Hodge said.
"They just have to make sure they don't start pointing fingers. You've got to make sure you bond together, and then use the experience from the past two years as a positive and grow from it."
Small forward Devon Smith is set to request a trade home to Victoria but otherwise the Giants are expected to be low-key players in the upcoming trade period, having this year re-signed a stack of stars headlined by Josh Kelly.
"You look through their list this year and they had so many injuries," Hodge said.
"For a team to still finish in the top four (is impressive) ... they're definitely on the right track."
