GWS have scored a 27-point win over Essendon at Giants Stadium.
The Giants brought increased intensity from the outset – including a pre-game scuffle – with their 14.12 (96) to 10.9 (69) win earmarked by 53-44 tackles including 16-1 inside 50 tackles, and 42-25 one percenters for the game.
In a topsy turvy game, where both sides had two three-goal runs each in the first half, Essendon had hit the lead for the first time early in the third term after Matt Guelfi kicked the third of his four goals, before GWS responded with a run of seven consecutive goals to pull away for victory.
Lachie Whitfield re-discovered his rebound and dash off half-back with a game-high 30 disposals for 549 meters gained and a fourth-quarter goal which sealed the win from Jayden Laverde’s wayward central pass.
Former Rising Star winner Jesse Hogan was excellent up forward with a season-high four goals and 12 marks.
The Bombers had come into the game as one of the league’s in-form sides, with their 5-2 record from the past seven games only bettered by top-two pair Geelong and Collingwood over that stretch.
The influence of in-form baller Zach Merrett, who had 38 disposals last round, was quelled by close marking from Harry Perryman, with the Dons star restricted to 19 touches. The impact of running defenders Nick Hind and Mason Redman were blunted too.
Darcy Parish returned from a four-game lay-off due to a calf issue to be Essendon’s best with 28 disposals including a game-high 14 contested possessions.
The Giants got off to a flying start with the game’s first three goals before Essendon responded with three of their own to narrow the gap to two points at the first break. The game followed a similar pattern in the second, with GWS’s pressure to highlight yet they only led by two points at half-time.
Early third term goals from Guelfi and Ben Hobbs put the Dons ahead by 10 points but the Giants were able to reassert control, having 53-37 inside 50s for the game, with Whitfield dominant while Hogan and Toby Greene, who kicked 2.2, were constant threats up forward.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.5 7.7 11.9 14.12 (96)
ESSENDON 3.3 7.5 9.8 10.9 (69)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Hogan 4, Greene 2, Coniglio, Himmelberg, Kelly, Bruhn, Perryman, Lloyd, Ward, Whitfield
Essendon: Guelfi 4, Wright 2, Langford, Stewart, Perkins, Hobbs
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Hogan, Perryman, Kelly, Taylor, Coniglio
Essendon: Parish, Guelfi, Durham, Zerk-Thatcher, Draper
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Walking (concussion)
Essendon: nil
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Tanner Bruhn (replaced Pedling in the second quarter)
Essendon: Massimo D’Ambrosio (unused)