GREATER Western Sydney has awoken from a sluggish start to a 44-point victory over the Sydney Swans at ENGIE Stadium.

The Giants’ top-four dream was fading as they were again slow out of the blocks on home turf and the Swans looked like the side chasing a double chance, before the hosts unleashed an 11-goal blitz to clinch a 15.12 (102) to 8.10 (58) victory on Friday night.

The Swans were well down the path to claiming a sixth consecutive win in Sydney derbies as they made all the running to lead by as much as 35 points late in the second term, before they came to a standstill as the Giants piled on goals among 20 scoring shots to three in the second half.

The Giants were unstoppable as they dominated at the stoppages and could hardly miss with Harry Himmelberg and Lachie Ash both slotting a goal from outside 50m and Jake Stringer snapping another to break the game open within three stunning minutes.

Gun midfielder Finn Callaghan shook off the close attention of James Jordon to help turn the match with eight disposals, four inside 50s, 349m gained and the first goal after the main break in a breathtaking third term.

Callaghan finished with 21 disposals and was awarded the Brett Kirk Medal for best afield as his reputation to stand up at critical moments continues to grow.

With the Giants on top the Swans had now answer to their range of attacking weapons as emerging forward Aaron Cadman booted three goals and Jesse Hogan kicked two on his return to the side, while Stringer appears set for a huge finals series while also finishing with three majors.

But the Giants’ win could have come at a cost with Josh Kelly subbed out with calf awareness in the final term as midfielder’s injury concerns continue.

Isaac Heeney was one of several Swans to make a fast start and booted his side’s first goal of the game, but then fell short of the incredible heights he hit last week despite gathering 22 disposals.

Errol Gulden was a shining light for the Swans even as their finals hopes faded away with the tireless midfielder finishing with a game-high 32 disposals, while Brodie Grundy continued his rich vein of form with 24 disposals, five clearances and an early goal.

With Swans key forward Hayden McLean subbed out after copping a high blow in a marking contest in the first minute of the game, Will Hayward was left to take command in attack.

The versatile forward became the Swans’ primary target and booted three goals from marks inside 50 as his side laid down an early marker, but could have little influence as the ball lived at the other end for much of the second half.

Sydney forward’s night ends early after heavy blow
Hayden McLean has helped hold the Swans’ forward line together amid an injury crisis this season but lasted less than a minute as his side aimed to keep their finals hopes alive against the Giants. James Jordon earned a free kick from the opening bounce of the game and quickly pumped the ball deep into attack where McLean tracked back with the flight. The returning Sam Taylor and Swans forward Jack Buller had eyes only for the ball as McLean turned to face the pack and the Giants defender reached up to punch the ball away. But Taylor’s extended arm also connected with McLean high and the 26-year-old appeared to be out cold even before he landed on the turf. After an extended break in play while McLean was assessed, the 197cm Swan was conscious and sitting upright as he was stretched from the field before being ruled out under concussion protocols.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY      1.2       3.4       12.7     15.12 (102)
SYDNEY                                       3.5       7.8       8.8       8.10 (58)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Stringer 3, Cadman 3, Bedford 2, Hogan 2, Green, Callaghan, Greene, Himmelberg, Ash
Sydney: Hayward 3, Heeney, Grundy, Mills, Papley, McInerney

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Callaghan, Whitfield, Coniglio, Taylor, Angwin, Cadman, Himmelberg
Sydney: Gulden, Grundy, Mills, Lloyd, Hayward

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly (calf)
Sydney: McLean (concussion), Hamling (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Toby McMullin (replaced Josh Kelly in the fourth quarter)
Sydney: Aaron Francis (replaced Hayden McLean in the first quarter)

Crowd: TBC at Engie Stadium