GREATER Western Sydney has served the Western Bulldogs some cold preliminary final revenge in Canberra, writing the latest thrilling chapter of the two clubs' burgeoning rivalry with a two-point win.

With the temperature plummeting to five degrees, the heat was on at UNSW Canberra Oval.

The Giants came from behind to win 11.9 (75) to 9.19 (73) in front of a crowd of 14,048 who were treated to another classic encounter.

Click here for full match details and stats 

The GWS forward line fired, with Jeremy Cameron kicking four goals while Jonathon Patton and Toby Greene booted three apiece - including crucial last-quarter majors.

Patton's monster set shot from the boundary put the Giants back in front 14 minutes into the last quarter, while Greene threaded a goal four minutes later to extend the lead to 10.

Jake Stringer's third goal gave the Bulldogs hope, cutting the deficit to three, but Toby McLean narrowly missed a shot at goal in the dying moments and the Giants held on for a memorable victory.

"We put up on the board to beat the Bulldogs you need to play for 120 minutes," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.

"In the end it came down to the last 10 seconds."

Five talking points: Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were left to rue their missed opportunities after taking a nine-point lead to half-time despite dominating the second quarter.

While two goals each to Stringer and Marcus Bontempelli shifted the momentum of the game after quarter-time, a slew of missed shots gave the Giants a chance to regroup at the main break.

From there an arm-wrestle ensued in a game that was hard, fast and skilful as dew increasingly became a factor as the night wore on.

Luke Dahlhaus racked up 27 touches for the Dogs, while Jason Johannisen had 21 possessions and seven rebounds off defensive 50.

Easton Wood was superb in defence but gave away a crucial 50-metre penalty early in the last quarter to give Patton an easy shot that he converted for his second goal.

WATCH The thrilling last two minutes

Dylan Shiel and Callan Ward were influential around the contest for the Giants, while Zac Williams was impressive and Heath Shaw accumulated kicks off half-back.

The Giants are likely to be without Greene next week after he was reported for striking Caleb Daniel in a marking contest during the third quarter, while Dogs midfielder Tom Liberatore's night ended in the last quarter when he was concussed in a heavy tackle by Shane Mumford.

GWS ruckman Mumford (52 hit-outs) provided another dominant display after Bulldogs counterpart Tom Campbell was a late withdrawal, forcing Tom Boyd and Josh Dunkley to battle it out with the Giants big man.

 

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said his side was beginning to get closer to the form which won them last year's premiership.

"There was a few things to like but overall it's just frustrating," Beveridge said.

"Even though our intensity was good, we just gave it back to them in close and they went forward.

"But I don't think our intensity really dropped off at all so that's a step in the right direction."

MEDICAL ROOM
Greater Western Sydney: The Giants had plenty of sore boys after their win, with Nick Haynes (adductor), Sam Reid (hamstring) and Shane Mumford (ankle) all likely to need scans, while Aidan Corr (hamstring) was also tight but played out the match.

Western Bulldogs: Tom Campbell's late withdrawal with a sore ankle hurt the Dogs but the ruckman is expected to be a big chance to play Richmond next week. Tom Liberatore is in serious doubt for the Dogs' next outing after suffering concussion thanks to a Shane Mumford tackle. 

NEXT UP
The Giants back up for a second straight Friday night game when they take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, while the premiers take on Richmond at the same venue 24 hours later.

Former Bulldog Leon Cameron shakes hands with Bob Murphy after the Giants' win. Picture: AFL Photos

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY  3.3   6.3     8.6    11.9  (75)
WESTERN BULLDOGS              2.4   6.12   7.17   9.19 (73)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Greene 3, Patton 3, Lobb
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Bontempelli 3, Daniel 2, Suckling

BEST 
Greater Western Sydney: Williams, Greene, Cameron, Kelly, Shiel, Scully
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Daniel, Johannisen, Hunter, Dahlhaus 

INJURIES 
Greater Western Sydney: Sam Reid (hamstring), Nick Haynes (hamstring), Shane Mumford (ankle)
Western Bulldogs: Tom Campbell (ankle) replaced in the selected side by Bailey Dale, Tom Liberatore (concussion) 

Reports: Toby Greene (GWS) reported for striking Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs) in the third quarter.

Umpires: Deboy, Meredith, Ryan

Official crowd: 14,048 at UNSW Canberra Oval