ISRAEL Folau admits he had to stay "mentally strong" during his first year as an AFL player and is relishing the prospect of a break overseas before getting stuck into another pre-season in his adopted code.

Folau had a promising end to a difficult year in Greater Western Sydney's competitive showing against finals-bound North Melbourne on Saturday, kicking his second career goal and finishing with nine possessions.

It came two weeks after some heavy criticism for a perceived lack of effort against Melbourne in Canberra and an overall failure to grasp the nuances of his new sport.

Speaking after the loss to the Kangaroos, Folau said he had endured a tough debut season, but felt positive about his future with the Giants.

"I've been working hard all year and it's been a challenging year for me, but that's just the way it's turned out," he said.

"The year is finished now. I'm looking forward to a break - I head over to the States in October - and then starting pre-season.

"I don't really care about media and all that sort of stuff. I guess I had to try to stay mentally strong, but I don't read the papers and it's not a problem for me.

"I was confident in my ability, just some games this year weren't the best.

"As a team we can go into the break with a lot of confidence with the way we finished off the year and come back to the start of pre-season feeling fresh and ready to go."

The club's attention now turns to its list management, plus the search for a new assistant coach following Mark Williams' decision to quit GWS with a year remaining on his contract.

The Giants extended the deals of 13 youngsters during the season, including Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene and Steve Coniglio, although No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Jon Patton and pick three Dom Tyson are yet to commit beyond 2013.

There has been some talk Tyson is considering a return to Melbourne, with GWS chief executive Dave Matthews saying "We'd like him to [stay] and we think he will".

The club is after some experienced talent to add to its stable of budding stars, although two names linked with the club all year may be wide of the mark.

"I wouldn't have thought we'd spoken to [Brendon] Goddard or [Travis] Cloke, I can tell you that right now," coach Kevin Sheedy said.

"We need defenders. I don't know whether Cloke plays in the backline."

Sheedy would also like Setanta O'hAilpin to play on after the Irishman lasted barely half a game in round six before sustaining a cruel knee injury.

Of their experienced quartet - James McDonald, Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes and Luke Power - only McDonald is certain to retire.

Overall, GWS is pleased with its debut season and cautiously optimistic about its future.

"We know from the Gold Coast experience that year two can be difficult," Matthews said.

"So that's a good caution for us to make sure we don't take year two for granted.

"We want to be really, really competitive next year. We're aiming for five wins or more and we'll recruit and coach accordingly.

"This is the first year of a 50- to 100-year club. This club is never going anywhere.

"We've got these young players who are going to become household names.

"It's a short space of time before we fill Skoda Stadium."