Toby Greene has produced some magic touches to fire GWS to a valuable 28-point AFL win over plucky North Melbourne in Hobart.
The skipper stepped up in the third quarter with the game on the line, kicking a brace of goals including a soccer-style volley in the square, off a Stephen Coniglio kick.
Ahead 47-42 at halftime, the Giants put on a five-goal-to-two third term before finishing 15.13 (103) to 11.9 (75) winners at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.
The result moves GWS, who have had several close losses this season, to 5-8 for the season and two wins outside the top eight.
Greene, who had 24 disposals and five clearances, slotted three goals for the second week in a row after almost lifting his side over Richmond last round.
Callum Brown also had three goals, including two late in the first quarter to put a dampener on a positive North Melbourne start.
Jake Riccardi picked up a crucial goal for GWS from a 50-metre penalty in the third quarter after North Melbourne’s Ben McKay batted the ball away following a mark.
The Kangaroos, without co-captain Jy Simpkin and experienced midfielder Hugh Greenwood, were right in the contest in the first two quarters.
They’ve now lost 11 straight but have been more competitive in their four games under caretaker coach Brett Ratten.
Nick Larkey was among their best with a game-high four goals, while George Wardlaw had some more eye-catching moments in just his fourth game.
The tenacious 19-year-old kicked his first career goal, topped the tackle count with nine, and had 22 disposals.
North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas had some nice involvements in the second quarter, picking up two goals to eat into the Giants’ lead before finishing with three for the match.
It was his second game back in the AFL after being stood down by the club for a second time in March amid concerns over his behaviour towards women.
Jack Ziebell topped the possession count with 30.