GWS super-sub Josh Kelly left Saturday's elimination final loss to Hawthorn dejected after the Giants fumbled a stirring comeback attempt, running out of gas in the fourth quarter.
Kelly was raw speaking to GIANTS Media post-game, stating that the group is still coming to terms with the result as GWS exit the post-season without a win for the second year in a row.
"It's hard to believe. We feel like we put ourselves in a position to set ourselves up for a really strong finals series," Kelly said.
"For that just to end suddenly in the way it did, and the way we played, we feel like we got ourselves in a winning position. To not get there is just hard to believe. I'm shattered for the group, coaches, the club, fans. Just hard to believe."
Kelly had a sensational individual performance despite the loss, coming on for the injured Darcy Jones late in the second quarter as the substitute in his first game back from a calf injury.
In just 43 per cent time on ground, Kelly collected 18 disposals, nine clearances and kicked two goals during the third-quarter tsunami, instrumental in the stunning seven-goal turnaround.
"We appreciate the support. It was incredible to pack out Engie Stadium," Kelly said of the raucous Giants crowd post-game.
"We'll be back again, we feel like we're a football club that puts ourselves in the positions to win a premiership.
"We haven't got there yet, and it's hard to believe that it's another year of falling short, but we'll be back."
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