The Western Bulldogs have steamrolled GWS by 32 points to notch their first back-to-back wins of the season.
Luke Beveridge's side flexed their muscles with five unanswered goals in the third quarter to set up a 17.11 (113) to 12.9 (81) victory at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (4-3) move into seventh place on the ladder ahead of Sunday's matches, having defeated the Giants in eight of their nine meetings since 2020.
"Over the moon," Beveridge said after the match.
"We were a bit rattled early. We went in knowing that they were going to have a reasonably strong intercept presence.
"Their key backs have got terrific craft, they position well, so we knew being a tall short down there, we were going to need to use the ball well in a certain way.
"After quarter-time, the boys had a real resolve and that's one of the reasons we definitely got on top, because we had to take their intercept game off them."
Sam Darcy's absence through injury was covered by recalled James Harmes (four goals), while captain Marcus Bontempelli had his usual influence before being managed out in the final term.
The Giants (4-3) drop from fourth to sixth after suffering consecutive defeats.
"It's not an effort question. We were trying, we just couldn't manage it," GWS coach Adam Kingsley said.
"To have that third quarter on the back of a strong first half, but then compound that into the Adelaide game the week before, we've got some things to work out."
Jake Riccardi led the Giants with three goals, as Jesse Hogan kicked two on return from a calf injury.
The Power's Jason Horne-Francis clashed with former Kangaroos teammates. (Getty: James Elsby/AFL Photos)
Earlier on Saturday, Port Adelaide's polarising Jason Horne-Francis tormented friend and foe alike as the Power held off North Melbourne for a gruelling nine-point victory.
Port banked a third consecutive win with a hard-fought 14.13 (97) to 13.10 (88) triumph at Adelaide Oval, where Horne-Francis dominated his former Kangaroos teammates with 27 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal.
But he also caused grief for his own club, involved in an animated discussion with coach Ken Hinkley, captain Connor Rozee and vice-captain Zak Butters at three-quarter time.
Horne-Francis tangled with North skipper Jy Simpkin late in the third term, giving up a double 50m penalty — and a goal — from a behind-the-ball skirmish.
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At the break, a fired-up Horne-Francis went to turn his back on Hinkley, until grabbed by Butters and Rozee.
"He's an emotional player, and I love that about him," Hinkley said of Horne-Francis.
"He's such a fierce competitor and he's playing against North Melbourne … where he came from.
"He was frustrated. He let his emotions boil over into stuff he couldn't control … when he gets a bit like that, we have just got to try and bring him back down."
Butters summed up the interaction as "like trying to cage a raging bull — it's pretty tough at times".
"But I'd much rather that than have to work someone up to compete and play," Butters said.
Thanks for joining us and we'll see you again tomorrow, kicking off with Gold Coast and Sydney. First bounce at 1.15pm AEST.
Alright, get some rest. Big day of footy tomorrow. Goodnight!
Key Event
FT: Western Bulldogs 17.11 (113) defeats GWS 12.9 (81)
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By Marnie Vinall
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Another dominant display from the Western Bulldogs, with a well-rounded comprehensive 32-point win. It puts them into the eight.
Aaron Naughton with an extra reason to smile with the victory coming in his 150th game, while James Harmes equalled his career best game in front of goal with four majors.
The Giants started and finished well - surging to kick four of the last five goals of the game - but were completely overrun in the middle of the game.
The GWS defence was put under immense pressure for the duration of the game, with Lachie Whitfield racking up a significant 30 disposals.
Giants fumble lead to another Bulldogs goal
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By Marnie Vinall
That passage of play sums up a lot of this match.
Sam Taylor wasn't anticipating the ball as it came his way right in front of the big sticks.
He fumbled it and Bulldog Sam Davidson ran through to get his boot to the ball and poke it through the goal.
Bulldogs by 39
Hogan adds another to the scoreboard
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By Marnie Vinall
GWS now have the last three goals of the game with Jesse Hogan the latest of those.
His second of the night.
Bulldogs by 33
Green gets his first
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By Marnie Vinall
The Tom Green fan club in the cheer section has finally gotten a moment to get on their feet for. He's put through a goal with a left foot snap.
It adds to his 27 touches.
Bulldogs by 39
Bedford gets one back for the Giants
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By Marnie Vinall
Giants just playing for pride now and to try and draw the margin back to a more respectable scoreline.
Toby Bedford the last to score, his second of the night.
Bulldogs by 45
Naughton gets a goal in his 150
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By Marnie Vinall
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That's a nice moment for the Bulldog.
Taken at pick No.9 in the 2017 draft, Naughton has been a hugely influential player for the Dogs. He's finally gotten a goal in his milestone game.
Bulldogs by 52
West responds for the Bulldogs
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By Marnie Vinall
Well, that was quick. With his fifth touch of the evening, Rhylee West has kicked his third goal. It comes from another set shot.
Bulldogs by 46
Giants finally get a goal
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By Marnie Vinall
Toby Greene received the handball from Aaron Cadman, who was running on his left towards an open goal square.
It's the Giants first major since late in the second quarter.
Bulldogs by 40
Bontempelli subbed off
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By Marnie Vinall
But don't fret Bulldogs fans, he's just being managed.
Cooper Hynes comes on in his place. Bulldogs up by 40.
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Buku Khamis gets first goal of the year
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By Marnie Vinall
Buku Khamis launched the ball from outside the 50m arc towards his teammate Rory Lobb who was hanging around the goal square.
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But he didn't need Lobb as it bounced through unassisted for his first goal of the year.
His teammates came from everywhere he congratulate him.
Bulldogs by 43
Key Event
3QT: Western Bulldogs 13.8 (86) leads GWS 7.7 (49)
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By Marnie Vinall
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The Bulldogs were dominant in that third quarter and kicked to a significant lead, which they'll take into the final change of the evening.
The Bulldogs kicked five goals and three behinds in the third, while GWS managed just the one score through a behind from Callan Ward.
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James Harmes has been a standout in front of goal with four majors, while Marcus Bontempelli has been unstoppable at the contest with 22 touches and 10 score involvements.
Bulldogs by 37 at HT
Giants defenders under pressure
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By Marnie Vinall
Jesse Hogan went for a mark but the ball flew far over his head. He threw his hands up in frustration.
The ball isn't coming into the GWS forward line too much as it's rather their defenders under a lot of pressure right now.
Xavier O'Halloran has come to the bench and Callan Ward has come on as the sub.
Bulldogs by 37
Lobb extends Bulldogs' lead further
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By Marnie Vinall
That's now six unanswered goals, five for this third quarter, for the Bulldogs.
The last through Rory Lobb with his second of the night.
Giants are being outworked and outclassed here. They need a response or we're going to be looking at a blowout.
Bulldogs by 37
Greene misses another opportunity
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By Marnie Vinall
It was a tricky kick from a tight angle, but the Giants skipper Toby Greene usually put those through. The snap went across the face of goal and out on the full.
GWS are being put on the ropes by the Bulldogs here.
Bulldogs by 31
Bulldogs make it five in a row
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By Marnie Vinall
(Getty)
Ed Richards was waiting out the back of a contest, where he received the ball and immediately got it on his boot.
It needed a score review, as Connor Idun was confident he touched it, but it wasn't overturned from the original call of a goal.
Bulldogs by 31
Kennedy goes again for the Bulldogs
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By Marnie Vinall
Matthew Kennedy gets his second of the night and the Bulldogs have now kicked the last four goals of the game.
They are starting to get some real control of this match with some strong contest work.
Bulldogs by 24
West gets his second, Harmes his fourth
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By Marnie Vinall
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The Bulldogs get the opening two goals of the second half.
First it was Rhylee West, who kicked his second of the evening. Then, James Harmes with his fourth - that equals his career best. Harmes had a clever lead to get the ball and then a clean finish on a tight angle with the set shot.
Bulldogs by 18
Naughton kicks off second half
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By Marnie Vinall
... with a behind.
Aaron Naughton took a mark, keeping the ball just above the ground as he slid on the turf. He wasn't able to kick as clean as he was in taking the grab, but the one point does put his side's lead out to a kick.
Bulldogs by 6
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