TOBY Greene’s brilliant four-goal first half has helped fire the Giants to a stunning seven-point upset of Geelong, putting another dent in the Cats’ flagging premiership defence.
Captain Greene starred early, with former skippers Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward also significant contributors in the gutsy 12.9 (81) to 10.14 (74) victory at GMHBA Stadium.
It was the Giants’ fourth win under first-year coach Adam Kingsley, helping Greene celebrate his 200-game milestone in fine style while improving their record to 4-7.
Greene kicked 4.1 from seven disposals in the first half while Jake Riccardi and Brent Daniels both finished with three goals, including two crucial majors each in the final term as the Giants held off a huge late challenge.
The Giants led by 24 points at the eight-minute mark of the last quarter but Geelong stormed back into the contest, roared on by a vocal home crowd of 21,349.
The Cats kicked four of the next five goals and twice trimmed the margin to two points before Daniels shut the gate from close range with little more than two minutes left.
Coniglo (26 disposals, seven clearances), Ward (19, seven), Tom Green (28, three) and Lachie Ash (26, two) were all outstanding.
But it was Daniels’ last goal that steadied the Giants, who hung on in the thriller.
The Giants next take on Richmond on Sunday from 1.10pm at Giants Stadium.
