THEY denied the 'Buddy factor' had played any part, but the Giants still took great satisfaction from knocking off Lance Franklin and the Sydney Swans in Saturday's stunning upset at Spotless Stadium.
Linked with Greater Western Sydney throughout 2013, Franklin ultimately decided to head to the Swans, and took top billing heading into the fifth instalment of the Sydney derby.
He kicked an early goal, but was well held the rest of the way by Phil Davis and company as the Giants ran away with a sensational 15.9 (99) to 9.13 (67) triumph.
The ground record crowd of 17,102 in attendance seemed scarcely able to believe what was unfolding as GWS banged in six goals without reply to claim just the fourth win in club history.
Franklin finished with seven touches, four marks and 1.1, receiving huge Bronx cheers whenever he fumbled the ball, but the Giants denied Franklin's appearance provided any extra motivation.
"It was nothing to do with that," GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
"(But) we're not going to put it to the side and say it was just another game.
"It's a significant moment in our footy club going forward. We're in an infant stage going into our third year and we want to make some ground this year.
"We play against the Swans, who are obviously our arch-rival at the moment, and it's great to finally crack a win against them.
"But round one, two or three, it's still up for four points and it's great we got off to a great start."
The Giants had enjoyed a vastly improved pre-season, competing against the Swans, belting St Kilda and then suffering a narrow defeat to Adelaide.
In Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw, Josh Hunt and Dylan Addison, who all contributed on Saturday, they also picked up some superb additions to add to their bevy of young talent.
Cameron had a quick reply when asked coming into the game if they really believed they could beat the Swans for the first time.
"Yep," he said without hesitation. "We spoke about it all week and leading up to it after our NAB Challenge series, where we had some really good form on the board.
"There's some areas we need to get better at, but our guys have had a hard, tough pre-season and we looked forward to the first game."
Callan Ward and Shane Mumford celebrate the Giants' milestone win over the Swans. Picture: AFL Media
The outcome marks a major milestone for the Giants, who had to wait all the way until round 19 last year to pick up their first victory of the season.
But they have started 2014 in scintillating fashion and with games against St Kilda, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs up next, they will have opportunities to quickly add to the win tally.
Co-captain Callan Ward, who took out the Brett Kirk Medal as best afield, said Saturday's result was a reward for all the work the club has put in since it was founded back in 2009.
"It makes it that much more special," Ward said.
"Going through the bad times, you wait for the good times to come around and really enjoy it when they do.
"It's more than (just the last) two years, it's been three or four years for some guys like Jeremy Cameron, and even the guys in the twos who have been here since day one.
"I think they really enjoyed the day as well.
"I think the rivalry is really starting to build with Sydney, especially after today, and we love playing Sydney.
"They're a terrific footy club, we respect them and I think we've learned plenty from them."
It was also a winning start for Leon Cameron in his first senior game following a 10-year coaching apprenticeship with the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and the Giants.
"I'm one-for-one," he joked afterwards. "No I don't know about that, the coaches can only do so much."
But he was keen to ensure the players took some enjoyment out of the upset win.
"We'll probably address them more Monday," he said.
"I want our guys to enjoy the win – within reason – but enjoy the win because it has been tough for the first couple of years.
"An enormous amount has been put into this footy club, our crowd today was outstanding, and starting up a club from scratch is tough work.
"It's a good day for our footy club."
