Geelong coach Chris Scott has conceded star pair Jeremy Cameron and Max Holmes were undercooked for the finals series.
Cameron has looked hampered for much of the year with his arm injury and has been far below his best since returning from his shoulder injury.
"Just short of a run for Holmes, Cameron a little bit as well," Scott said post game.
"(Cameron) did a remarkable job to get through the year the way he did. It's for him to speak about what he put up with his arm.
"I will say that we don't put our players at risk, so it was more a discomfort function thing that he was struggling with.
"It was one of those issues where he could have had it fixed and he misses the rest of the year or he could keep playing through and if it failed, he would have to get it done then. But I thought he was terrific the way he hung in.
"Then a really bad shoulder injury that needed surgery and came back.
"Even the very best players need some continuity in their footy to perform at their best at this level."
Cameron kicked two goals in the semi final loss playing as a winger and had some moments despite being hampered.
Scott indicated Cameron would get surgery to address his arm nerve injury.
Holmes, meanwhile, was not expected to return until the preliminary final weekend but played last week's elimination final and while his stats did not disgrace him, he lacked his usual dash and confidence with the footy across the two finals.
"To come back and play two finals the way he did was ultra-impressive and speaks to his professionalism," Scott said.
"But I think it was more a matter of a couple more weeks would have had him closer to himself.
"I would've liked to see what Holmes and Cameron would've been able to do in a couple of weeks' time."
