GREATER Western Sydney has trumped last year's upset win over Hawthorn and announced itself as a genuine contender after beating the reigning champ by 75 points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said on Friday that the whole competition was starting to take notice of the Giants' form so far in 2016, and if some of GWS' rivals hadn't yet been convinced, they will be now after the 24.14 (158) to 12.11 (83) win.
The Giants kicked their highest score in the rampant win, surpassing the 22.19 (151) they racked up two weeks ago against Port Adelaide, and set up the win with the best first quarter in their five-season history, a 7.3 (45) blitz of the Hawks, who managed just 2.1 in reply.
Star recruit Steve Johnson rolled back the clock with five first-half goals for GWS, while emerging big man Rory Lobb kicked four, and was unstoppable in the air with 10 marks, eight of them contested.
Jeremy Cameron, Tom Scully, Rhys Palmer and Toby Greene all kicked three apiece for the Giants.
Jack Gunston kicked five goals for the Hawks, Luke Breust added three and Grant Birchall worked hard to provide some drive out of defence but in a worrying sign, too many of Clarkson's big names were nowhere to be found once the Giants' pressure was turned up.
The Hawks' misery was compounded when James Frawley copped an accidental head knock from teammate Ben Stratton midway through the third quarter, forcing the Hawk from the field in the hands of trainers. The home side dominated all the key statistical areas, having almost 100 more disposals than the Hawks, and winning the contested possession count (153-114), clearances (47-29), and tackles (63-41).
Tough onballer Stephen Coniglio helped reduce the effectiveness of Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell, and with Scully, Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel and Lachie Whitfield, led a rampant GWS midfield.
Reigning best and fairest Heath Shaw combined brilliantly with Nathan Wilson, Nick Haynes and Zac Williams in defence and many of the Giants' best attacking moves started from their back 50.
MEDICAL ROOM
GWS star Ryan Griffen (back) was a late withdrawal for the game but should be right to face the Dockers next week, while defender Nathan Wilson copped a couple of head-high knocks but should also be fit to face Freo. Hawks defender James Frawley will be tested during the week after suffering concussion in a collision with teammate Ben Stratton.
NEXT UP
The Hawks have to regroup for a big Friday night clash with a misfiring Richmond at the MCG, while the Giants head west to take on winless Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 7.3 13.6 19.10 24.14 (158)
HAWTHORN 2.1 6.3 9.6 12.11 (83)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Johnson 5, Lobb 4, Cameron, Scully, Greene, Palmer 3, Whitfield 2, Ward
Hawthorn: Gunston 5, Breust 3, Puopolo 2, Howe, Rioli
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Coniglio, Shiel, Lobb, Ward, Johnson, Whitfield
Hawthorn: Gunston, Breust, Birchall
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Griffen (back) replaced in the selected side by Haynes
Hawthorn: Frawley (concussion)
