We've seen this movie before.
Last year, the Giants lost four players to free agency and trade mechanisms, with three rival clubs swooping on their services of Isaac Cumming, James Peatling, Nick Haynes and Harry Perryman.
This year, it looks as though the same is about to happen.
Following a heartbreaking loss to Hawthorn in Saturday's elimination final, an unfortunate reality is that the attention turns to the player movement period, and how the club can better their list.
Despite farewelling a quartet of regulars in Adam Kingsley's side, GWS only added Jake Stringer to the mix from an experienced perspective, while a host of high-end draft selections were taken to bolster their depth stocks.
The likes of Oliver Hannaford, Harry Oliver and Cody Angove will all continue their strong development in the reserves, as will Category B rookie Josaia Delana. But none moved the needle as the AFL's youngest club failed to reach what is within its reach.
This year's iteration of farewells looks to be Leek Aleer (St Kilda), Jacob Wehr (Port Adelaide) and Wade Derksen (Melbourne). Again, another three prospects, albeit bright in their own right, don't move the needle towards a maiden premiership.
All three, who are out of contract, warrant second to fourth round selections, although the Giants will look to push for a higher pick for Aleer, who played 13 matches of the 2025 season, often in the absence of either Jack Buckley or Sam Taylor.
GWS have all but locked away their key components to deals, with decisions on Josh Fahey and Lachie Keeffe the remaining calls.
Each year, the expansion club puts itself into premiership contention, but has fallen agonisingly short, proving just how hard it is to lift the cup aloft.
Their opponents in the elimination final, Hawthorn, deliberately set out to be bold to make it to the last Saturday in September. Their daring moves to acquire defensive pair Tom Barrass and Josh Battle automatically made them a better side, and they will enter the semi-final against Adelaide as a team to fear.
Geelong, despite winning a premiership in 2022, targeted Bailey Smith for months on end, knowing they needed a match-winner when the whips started cracking in the Spring.
Collingwood acquired Bobby Hill, Tom Mitchell, Billy Frampton and Dan McStay. All four contributed to the club's record-equalling premiership.
As it stands, the Giants hold Picks 12, 30 and 36, which will undoubtedly get pushed back due to academy and father-son selections.
But swift and crafty trading, combined with a deliberate approach to bring in more established talent, will move the needle.
The likes of Jayden Laverde, Joel Hamling, Sam Frost and Jacob Koschitzke, all of whom have been linked to the club, aren't exactly mountain movers.
And although they will add depth that is bound to walk out the door, from a maths equation, it is a plus-one, minus-one outlook.
The reintroduction of Brent Daniels to the senior lineup in 2026 will help the cause, as will Buckley.
But the Giants, who are littered with stars across the ground, might need one final piece of the puzzle.
And as their rivals have done it, with their suite of draft picks, they should do the same.
