GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron has a simple philosophy when it comes to his side's finals chances in 2015: if they're good enough to make it, they will, and if they're not, they won't.
The Giants looked anything but a top eight side in beating Essendon by 32-points at Spotless Stadium on Sunday, but did enough to get a 10th win from 18 starts, the first time they've reached double figure victories in a season in their short history.
GWS were well beaten by the Bombers in the first two quarters but somehow managed to keep in touch, before over-running the visitors with an 11-goals to three second half.
Five talking points: Greater Western Sydney v Essendon
Despite the scrappy win, Cameron says it's pleasing to still be in the finals race.
"You've got to win these games, and we're still there which is fantastic," Cameron said post match.
"The first half was sloppy footy. They had the better of us and used the ball really well, had more possessions, (and their) contested ball was up.
"Trying to put a finger on that is always hard. We're on the back of three weeks of travel and it took us a little while to get going, but the real pleasing thing was after half-time the boys addressed a few issues.
"We sort of came out and found a bit more energy and that spark, we were a little bit cleaner, made some good decisions, the pressure was better and we turned that into some scoreboard pressure in the end.
"The side found a way to win when things weren't going as well as they should have been."
Click here to watch Leon Cameron's full media conference
Big forward Jon Patton made a successful return to the field against the Bombers, and while the 22 year-old wasn't a dominant performer in his first senior game since rupturing the ACL in his right knee for a second time in round 21 last year, he got through unscathed.
Patton showed glimpses of what he can give the Giants if his body allows, with nine classy possessions and four marks against Essendon.
Cameron says Patton exceeded his expectations and looked good in the GWS forward set up with 2013 All Australian Jeremy Cameron, Rory Lobb and the returning Cam McCarthy.
"It's big. There have been a couple of people who have come back from those double knee recos, some unfortunately have had three, some have never come back," Cameron said.
"We're rapt that he's out there. He came in and played his role today, we knew he was going to be up and down but he contributed.
"He played about 85 per cent of ground time at AFL level - he's going to sleep well tonight.
SHOWREEL: Patton's successful return
"He's progressing the way we want him to progress, it's just great that he's playing footy. The boys love having him out there and he's going to continue to improve with every game he plays."
McCarthy started the game as the GWS sub but had a massive impact on the game when he replaced injured midfielder Tom Scully in the third quarter.
The key forward was recalled after spending to weeks in the NEAFL, and had 11 possessions, took five marks and kicked two goals for the winners.
"His form dropped off, he'd be the first to admit that, but we feel as though he's a big part of our footy team," Cameron said.
"We know he can play sub, he's probably been our perfect sub in our last year and a half, because every time he's played he's come on and kicked at least a couple of goals.
"He came on at a time when we needed a spark and he gave us that again.
"We're rapt that he could bring that energy. Hopefully he's had his dip (in form) and he can build back up in the remaining part of the year.
"He's got elite speed, a big motor and we know he can play multiple positions."
Cameron said he's confident Scully (shoulder) and fellow midfielder Stephen Coniglio (head knock) will be ready to take on Port Adelaide on the road next week, despite the six-day break.
Adam Cooney has been reported for this high hit on Stephen Coniglio #AFLGiantsDons http://t.co/Pmn4xhVIWG
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