GREATER Western Sydney has stormed into the top eight for the first time in almost two months after edging Hawthorn by 11 points at Spotless Stadium.

Key forward Jonathon Patton largely struggled on Saturday night, copping a painful blow to the knee during a ruck contest, registering three behinds and putting another set shot out on the full.

GIANTS RISING Full match coverage and stats

But the former No.1 draft pick stood up when it counted most, booting the sealer from a tough spot after he was awarded a free kick with a tick under four minutes remaining.

"That was a big kick," GWS coach Leon Cameron said of Patton's composure.

"A lot of pressure.

Hawthorn ball magnet Tom Mitchell had a game-high 50 disposals, while GWS co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis starred to help their side prevail 13.17 (95) to 13.6 (84).

The result rocketed the Giants, who slipped out of the top eight in early May during a four-match losing streak, to sixth on the ladder.

They have won four on the trot and next tackle West Coast, Richmond and Port Adelaide in a challenging stretch that has the potential to make or break their campaign.

THE GENERAL DELIVERS Five talking points

GWS won clearances 51-28 and had 53 more contested possessions than Hawthorn but couldn't put the Hawks away until late in the final quarter.

"We lacked some of the polish of GWS ... the scoreboard flattered us a little bit," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

The Giants snatched a 24-point lead after their most productive first quarter of the year, overwhelming the Hawks with frenetic pressure and frantic ball movement while kicking five goals – three off the boot of Rory Lobb.

The visitors reduced the margin to a single point during the third term, aided by the hosts' inaccuracy, but GWS rallied with three quick goals before three-quarter time.

Ben McEvoy, Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo trimmed the Giants' buffer to five points early in the final term but Lachie Whitfield and Patton responded with clutch goals when the game was on the line.

"The easy thing is for players to panic," Cameron said.

"Every time they came at us, we found a way."

Patton loomed as the man most likely to fill the immense void left by fellow foundation Giant Jeremy Cameron, who sat out the first of five games he'll miss through suspension.

Instead, it was Lobb who caused the visiting defenders plenty of early headaches, although he faded after his incredible start.

Lobb, who left the ground in an ambulance just three weeks ago, looked set for a big night in his return from a fracture in his thoracic spine.

GAMEBREAKER Skipper sets Spotless alight

But he was one of many forwards responsible for the home side's inaccurate haul of 1.8 in the second term, with the sole goal coming courtesy of a contentious free kick to Harry Himmelberg.

"That's almost a Rancey (Alex Rance) dive," Hawks defender Ben Stratton fumed to the umpire.

Hawthorn's Jack Gunston was a late scratching because of a corked calf and Will Langford suffered a finger injury.

MEDICAL ROOM
Greater Western Sydney: Jon Patton hurt his right knee in a ruck contest and came from the ground in the third term, but returned not long after and played out the match.

Hawthorn: Will Langford suffered a finger injury late in the second term. He battled on briefly in the third quarter but was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the match.

NEXT UP
The Hawks have another Saturday night clash, this time with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while the Giants take on West Coast in the final game of the round at Optus Stadium.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     5.3     6.11    11.15    13.17 (95)
HAWTHORN                                1.3     5.4        9.5        13.6 (84)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Lobb 3, Ward 2, de Boer, Himmelberg, Shiel, Hopper, Coniglio, Griffen, Whitfield, Patton
Hawthorn: Bruest 3, Puopolo 2, Roughead 2, Ceglar 2, McEvoy, Sicily, Henderson, Smith

BEST 
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Whitfield, Coniglio, Shiel, Davis, Himmelberg
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Smith, Bruest, Sicily, O'Meara, Shiels 

INJURIES 
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Hawthorn: Langford (finger)

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Williamson, Fleer, McInerney 

Official crowd: 10,866 at Spotless Stadium