Greater Western Sydney has replaced North Melbourne to temporarily move into the top-eight after defeating Hawthorn by 11 points at Spotless Stadium.
Despite leading at every change, the Giants were challenged by their staunch opposition, yet persevered in the 13.17 (95) to 13.6 (84) victory.
GWS were led brilliantly by co-captain Callan Ward who kicked two goals and had 32 touches, while Tom Mitchell and Luke Breust were among Hawthorn’s most influential, finishing with 50 touches and three goals respectively.
Should North Melbourne lose to Essendon tomorrow, the Giants will retain their spot in the eight.
With both sides looking to squeeze into the top-eight, the Giants put together the perfect start, booting five goals to Hawthorn’s one.
Much like last week against Brisbane, GWS were prolific with ball in hand and damaging on the scoreboard, with Ward registering the first goal of the game.
Despite the Hawks’ quick response via Breust, the Giants found their momentum slotting four consecutive goals, three of which were booted by Lobb.
With five goals to their name, the Giants were in total control of the game, clearly making the most of the opportunities presented to them.
GWS‘ midfield and defensive pressure served as déjà vu for the Hawks, who again struggled to capitalise on the scoreboard in the first term - as seen in their 2.1 opening quarter against Gold Coast last week.
The early domination by the Giants saw the Hawks down by 24 points at quarter-time, with plenty of improvement for the visitors going into the second term.
Hawthorn delivered in the second term, slotting four goals against the wayward Giants, who scored 1.8 for the quarter.
Jarryd Roughead came to the rescue scoring a much-needed major to open the term to keep the Hawks afloat.
As Hawthorn began to look more ominous with their run and entries inside 50 through James Sicily and Tom Mitchell, and as Ricky Henderson made it two for the Hawks, the margin rested at just over two straight kicks.
Despite Harry Himmelberg extending the Giants‘ lead, a late burst from Isaac Smith and Breust allowed the Hawks to claw their way back into the contest, sitting just 13 points down at half-time.
The second half, much like the first, was dominated by GWS as Dylan Shiel kickstarted a five-goal quarter to edge out the three-goal effort of their opposition.
Jonathan Ceglar quickly responded soon thereafter before Roughead slotted his second, and within minutes the Hawks were back in the game.
As Ceglar slotted his second and Paul Puopolo fired just moments after a Jacob Hopper goal, the Hawks clawed their way back in front for the first time since the opening stages of the opening term.
But thanks to a much-needed goal from Stephen Coniglio, the Giants managed to crack through Hawthorn’s defence before obliterating their structures with the next two majors.
As Ryan Griffen and Ward took the lead to 22 points, the game was far from over with one decisive quarter left to play.
Heading into the final term, Hawthorn needed to lift their game across the ground and began a spirited fightback with the first three goals of the term.
Despite the ball spending a majority of its time within the Giants‘ forward 50, the skill and fluent transition of the Hawks allowed Puopolo, Breust and Ben McEvoy to bring them within a few points.
But a goal from Lachie Whitfield put the Giants out of the danger zone, yet despite the continual press from the Hawks were unable to edge out their opposition.
It was tight right until the end with each side desperate to kick one final major, but it was Jonathon Patton who made GWS fans roar as he sealed not only the game with a goal, but a spot in the top-eight.
One final consolation goal from Sicily brought the margin back to 11 points, but the Giants ultimately reigned supreme.
Greater Western Sydney will have a chance to further consolidate themselves in the top-eight when they face West Coast next Sunday at Optus Stadium.
Hawthorn meanwhile will be desperate to keep their finals chances alive when they play the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in a week’s time.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.3 6.11 11.15 13.17 (95)
HAWTHORN 1.3 5.4 9.5 13.6 (84)
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Lobb, Kelly, Shiel, Coniglio
Hawthorn: Mitchell, O’Meara, Breust, Roughead, Sicily
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Lobb 3, Ward 2, Patton, Whitfield, Griffen, Coniglio, Hopper, Shiel, de Boer, Himmelberg
Hawthorn: Breust 3, Puopolo 2, Ceglar 2, Roughead 2, Sicily, McEvoy, Smith, Henderson
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
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