GREATER Western Sydney has withstood a surging Essendon to secure a 14-point victory at Engie Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Giants grabbed the 16.7 (103) to 13.11 (89) win to boost what has been a rocky start to the season.
Essendon dominated field position with a 61-46 inside-50 count, while the clearance battle proved far tighter, with the Giants barely edging the contest 40-38. With the ball trapped in their defensive half for long periods, the Giants were forced to score from transition, launching their attacks from a long way back.
Facing their former side, Jayden Laverde and Jake Stringer stood strong at both ends of the ground. Stringer famously vowed to use an image of a spectacular mark he took over Laverde as his phone wallpaper after their last meeting; now, the pair are teammates haunting their old club together. After a shaky start, Stringer finished with three goals, while Laverde thwarted Essendon's attacks with 19 disposals.
In game 100, Essendon's Sam Durham’s finished with 26 disposals and eight clearances.
Giants skipper Toby Greene opened the scoring with a clever snap after ghosting into space out the back, but the returning Mason Redman quickly answered with a long-range bomb off a sharp handball receive.
The teams traded goals in a see-sawing start before the momentum shifted toward the Bombers when Xavier Duursma snared two in four minutes – the second resulting from a high tackle from Greene.
However, a late Jake Riccardi major clawed back the advantage, handing the Giants a four-point lead at the opening break.
Starting the second term just like the first, Greene immediately slotted his second with a clinical snap from the pocket. But the Essendon response came thick and fast via Peter Wright and Nate Caddy to put the Bombers back in front, before Darcy Parish stood tall to deliver another blow.
The Giants had genuine reason for concern as the Bombers' dominance in inside 50s (35-19) and scoring shots (12-7) finally translated onto the scoreboard, allowing them to carry a 15-point lead into the main break.
That momentum showed no signs of slowing after the restart; while Aaron Cadman's influence stalled following two behinds under intense pressure, the Bombers remained clinical at the other end.
Stringer snagged his second major before Caddy and Wright did the same, further extending the visitors' surge.
However, the Giants ignited with four consecutive goals to set the contest alight. Braces to Riccardi and Max Gruzewski, coupled with a ripping checkside from Brent Daniels from a tight angle, cut the Bombers' lead to just eight points.
The comeback was soured when Dyson Sharp's game ended prematurely due to a left shoulder injury sustained while bravely running back with the flight in a marking contest. He emerged from the clash clutching his arm following a heavy landing and, after being assessed in the rooms, was subsequently put on ice.
Archer May slotted his second to provide a steadying goal for the Bombers, but Stringer hit back with his third on the three-quarter time siren to cut the lead to just two points at the final change.
May then kicked an equal career-best third goal to extend the margin early in the last, before Greene responded with his own third as the tension reached a fever pitch.
Wright, who had a game-high 10 score involvements, kicked his third goal, while Cadman kept pace in the shootout. Moments later, Harry Himmelberg slotted a crucial major to see the Giants retake the lead for the first time since the second quarter.
Daniels' long-range strike for his second major, a potentially game-saving smother from Connor Idun, and Phoenix Gothard's second goal saw the Giants surge to a 15-point lead.
The result ensures the eight-year drought in western Sydney continues for Essendon; the Bombers haven't tasted victory against the Orange Tsunami on their home turf since round 10, 2018.
Returning players spark Bombers
Brad Scott made a statement by swinging the axe with six changes, most notably dropping Ben McKay to address a leaky defence. The bold move paid off as returning trio Darcy Parish, Mason Redman, and Archie Perkins provided an immediate spark. Ruckman Nick Bryan also made a successful return from a long-term ACL injury. These inclusions reaped instant rewards, with Redman, Parish, and Archer May all hitting the scoreboard during a dominant opening half. The momentum continued after the main break, as Perkins and May both added second-half majors.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.0 5.2 11.5 16.7 (103)
ESSENDON 3.2 7.5 11.7 13.11 (89)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Stringer 3, Greene 3, Riccardi 2, Gruzewski 2, Gothard 2, Daniels 2, Himmelberg, Cadman
Essendon: Wright 3, May 3, Duursma 2, Caddy 2, Redman, Perkins, Parish
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Whitfield, Greene, Callaghan, Stringer, Ash
Essendon: Roberts, Wright, Merrett, May, Perkins
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Essendon: Sharp (shoulder)
Crowd: TBC at Engie Stadium
