GREATER Western Sydney has consolidated its position among the early frontrunners, with a 34-point win over Brisbane in a match in which both teams kicked poorly.
GWS never trailed at any stage on Saturday night but neither did it look like tearing apart the winless Lions, and the home team recorded a 10.17 (77) to 5.13 (43) victory at Spotless Stadium.
GIANTS BOUNCE BACK: Full match coverage and stats
Hard-working Matt de Boer tallied a career-best 34 touches for GWS, who were also well served by fellow veterans Brett Deledio and Ryan Griffen, plus Lachie Whitfield, Tim Taranto and Stephen Coniglio.
Brisbane couldn't get anything going offensively in the first half, kicking just 1.6.
STAR SIDELINED: 'Hot spot' a worry for top Giant
GWS coach Leon Cameron sang de Boer's praises after the victory. De Boer joined the Giants last season after crossing from the Dockers, and was perceived by many to be a depth player at his new club.
"It's a great story because at 26 or 27 years old sometimes you think when you move from one club to another you mightn't be able to keep improving," he said.
"But he's actually probably in his prime. He's actually improving every week. I'm rapt for him and I think the whole club is rapt for him because he's always had to do it hard."
DE BORN-AGAIN FOOTBALLER: Five talking points
The Lions enjoyed a 47-4 advantage in the hit-outs, with Stefan Martin dominating against makeshift ruckmen Jon Patton and Adam Tomlinson, but GWS largely controlled the game at ground level.
With goals from Zac Langdon, Jeremy Cameron and Deledio, GWS carved out a 17-point lead at the first break.
The Lions' first six shots were behinds and they didn't post a goal until 11 minutes into the second quarter when captain and leading possession-getter Dayne Beams landed a long-distance set shot after taking a courageous diving mark.
WATCH: Griffen's ridiculous effort
GWS hit back with majors to Daniel Lloyd, Adam Tomlinson and de Boer to lead by 33 points at half-time.
It took the Lions less than two minutes of the third quarter to kick a goal, but GWS kicked the next two majors to establish a match-high advantage of 39 points.
Brisbane booted the last two goals of the term, including a 60m-plus bomb from an otherwise quiet Eric Hipwood, to trail by 26 at the last change and couldn't reduce the deficit in the last quarter.
Langdon came off in the second quarter with a knee injury, while Brisbane's Nick Robertson was placed on report.
Lions coach Chris Fagan took plenty of positives out of the defeat but lamented his side's first-quarter inaccuracy. They kicked 0.5.
"Then they kicked three goals in red time in the second quarter, and there's the game," he said.
"That seems to be all it takes with our emerging group. They just find little ways against good teams to lose."
WATCH: How's this from Hipwood?
MEDICAL ROOM
Greater Western Sydney: First-year player Zac Langdon injured his right knee in the second term and played no further part in the clash, while Aidan Corr was taken to the rooms clutching his shoulder in the first quarter but returned to the field.
Brisbane Lions: Jarrod Berry limped off with an ankle injury midway through the last quarter after a heavy tackle on the wing. Dayne Beams copped a head knock in the second term but did not appear to be affected.
NEXT UP
The Giants have a six-day break ahead of a tough away clash against a rebounding Geelong on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium, while Brisbane return to the Gabba for a Sunday twilight match against Collingwood.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.4 6.9 8.11 10.17 (77)
BRISBANE 0.5 1.6 4.9 5.13 (43)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Langdon, Cameron, Deledio, Lloyd, Tomlinson, de Boer, Himmelberg, Hopper, Whitfield, Griffen
Brisbane: D.Beams, McStay, Taylor, Hipwood, Zorko
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: De Boer, Whitfield, Taranto, Deledio, Shiel, Shaw
Brisbane: D.Beams, Robinson, Rich, Gardiner, Martin
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Corr (shoulder), Langdon (knee)
Brisbane: Berry (ankle)
Reports: Robertson (Brisbane) for striking Himmelberg in the third quarter
Umpires: O'Gorman, Hay, Mollison
Official crowd: 10,046 at Spotless Stadium
