Young gun Harry Perryman had plenty to reflect on during an off-season spent working until midnight on his family farm in the Riverina.

Perryman is coming off a career-best season, yet it was also his club's worst year since he was drafted in 2016.

A handful of senior players, including Perryman's fishing buddy Jeremy Cameron, left the GIANTS after their 10th-placed finish.

Perryman, the only GIANT ranked 'elite' in Champion Data's pre-season assessment of the competition, opted to sign a two-year contract extension.

The 22-year-old has played a range of roles during a 52-game career, which includes a surprise stint as leader of the Coleman Medal race in early 2020.

Perryman is expected to be deployed further up the ground in Sunday's clash with St Kilda, rather than form part of a new-look forward line.

Cameron's void will be felt at GIANTS Stadium, but also elsewhere.

"I was pretty close with Jezza. We both liked the outdoors, camping and fishing," Perryman said.

"I told him if I'm ever down that way (Cameron has joined Geelong) then I'll come fishing on his boat.

"I always tell him to call into the (family) farm if he is ever driving around that way.

"I do miss him a bit. I'm sure we'll keep in touch.

"That's footy. Each year some good mates leave, but we've picked up some good young kids and there was already a good bunch here. We'll be fine."

Perryman is keen to step up as a leader, helping pass on the same lessons imparted to him by Cameron and others.

"I want to take that next step, help the young boys coming through," he said.

Perryman headed home to Collingullie, on the outskirts of Wagga Wagga, soon after leaving the GIANTS' hub at season's end.

"I helped out my dad and brothers," he said.

"We grow wheat, barley, oats; also have sheep and cattle.

"They're pretty long days, but I love it. I'd try to get up early, do my training in town then work on the farm.

"We were harvesting for a few weeks, so going until 11pm or midnight. It kept me busy."

Perryman and fellow Collingullie product Matt Kennedy, a former GIANT now at Carlton, trained with childhood friends.

The same group ensured Perryman watched last year's Grand Final.

"I didn't want to," he said.

"It makes you pretty jealous.

"Hopefully we get back to playing decent footy."