But the Giants bull Tom Green returned the favour, posting his own career highs with 38 touches and three goals back on his home Canberra turf.
It set up a grandstand finish, but back-to-back majors from the Bulldogs iced the game.
Toby Greene’s absence clearly hurt the Giants and they lacked efficiency inside 50, veteran Callan Ward stepping up to kick two goals before Green hit the scoreboard late to give his side a lifeline. Midfield supremos Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly racked up 65 disposals between them, while running defenders Lachie Ash (28 touches) and Connor Idun (28) were particularly damaging. In eight games under Kingsley, the Giants haven’t sustained a final margin of more than 21 points, but still have a 3-5 record.A potential hamstring injury for midfielder Adam Treloar that saw him immediately subbed out of the game was the only major negative for the Bulldogs.
The Giants next play Collingwood on Sunday from 4.40pm at the MCG.
