A fierce wind made life difficult for both sides in Canberra, but Greater Western Sydney used it best to battle to a 31-point win over Fremantle at UNSW Canberra Oval.
The football was scrappy during Saturday afternoon's clash and goals never came easy, but GWS' power and class stood out in the 11.16 (82) to 7.9 (51) win.
Fremantle made the early running to go to the first break with a nine-point lead, but the Giants powered away to a 3-1 record with seven goals to two during the second and third terms.
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The Freo Dockers hit back early in the final quarter through Brandon Matera's second goal and Bailey Banfield's first major of his young AFL career, but a brilliant snap from the dangerous Toby Greene midway through the final term steadied the Giants.
They stretched the margin to 19 points as rain started and helped thwart a Fremantle comeback.
Greene finished with two goals and played a key role in three others in a typically threatening display, while Giants co-captain Callan Ward showed a dominant midfield performance.
Lachie Neale, Stephen Hill and veteran David Mundy worked hard for Fremantle, while captain Nat Fyfe provided a highlight with a brilliant goal on the half-time siren.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon believed the game was lost in the Fremantle Dockers' forward half as Fremantle couldn't capitalise on having three more inside 50s than the Giants.
"Haynes and (Heath) Shaw were really good on our young forwards who got lost in tough conditions and that allowed (GWS) to shift the ball out quite well," Lyon said.
"We fought on and gave ourselves an opportunity (in the last quarter) so there's some good learnings in that."
MEDICAL ROOM
GWS: Jeremy Cameron looked sore and had an issue with his left leg but played out the match, so he'll need to be monitored this week.
Fremantle: Young midfielder Ed Langdon (illness) was a late withdrawal but should be right to play next week.
NEXT UP
The Giants are back in Melbourne next Saturday afternoon to take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, while the Fremantle return to Optus Stadium to play the Western Bulldogs in the Len Hall Tribute Game.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.5 5.9 8.14 11.16 (82)
FREMANTLE 3.1 5.2 5.6 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 2, Griffen 2, Greene 2, Hopper, Coniglio, Taranto, de Boer, Lloyd
Fremantle: Matera 2, Sandilands, S. Hill, Fyfe, Banfield, Mundy
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Haynes, Coniglio, Hopper, Greene, Taranto, Deledio
Fremantle: S. Hill, Neale, Mundy, Sandilands, Banfield
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Davis (cut chin)
Fremantle: Ed Langdon (illness) replaced in the selected side by Darcy Tucker
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Hosking, Rosebury
Official crowd: 11,356 at UNSW Canberra Oval
