The latest thrilling chapter of the Bulldogs, Giants burgeoning rivalry was written in a chilly Canberra tonight, with GWS running away with a two-point win.
With the temperature plummeting to five degrees, the heat was on at UNSW Canberra Oval.
The Giants came from behind to win 11.9 (75) to 9.19 (73) in front of a crowd of 14,048 who were treated to another classic encounter.
The GWS forward line fired, with Jeremy Cameron kicking four goals while Jonathon Patton and Toby Greene booted three apiece - including crucial last-quarter majors.
Patton's monster set shot from the boundary put the Giants back in front 14 minutes into the last quarter, while Greene threaded a goal four minutes later to extend the lead to 10.
Jake Stringer's third goal gave the Bulldogs hope, cutting the deficit to three, but Toby McLean narrowly missed a shot at goal in the dying moments and the Giants held on for a memorable victory.
The Bulldogs were left to rue their missed opportunities after taking a nine-point lead to half-time despite dominating the second quarter.
While two goals each to Stringer and Marcus Bontempelli shifted the momentum of the game after quarter-time, a slew of missed shots gave the Giants a chance to regroup at the main break.
From there an arm-wrestle ensued in a game that was hard, fast and skillful as dew increasingly became a factor as the night wore on.
Luke Dahlhaus racked up 27 touches for the Dogs, while Jason Johannisen had 21 possessions and seven rebounds off defensive 50.
Easton Wood was superb in defence but gave away a crucial 50-metre penalty early in the last quarter to give Patton an easy shot that he converted for his second goal.
Dylan Shiel and Callan Ward were influential around the contest for the Giants, while Zac Williams was impressive and Heath Shaw accumulated kicks off half-back.
The Giants are likely to be without Greene next week after he was reported for striking Caleb Daniel in a marking contest during the third quarter, while Dogs midfielder Tom Liberatore's night ended in the last quarter when he was concussed in a heavy tackle by Shane Mumford.
GWS ruckman Mumford (52 hit-outs) provided another dominant display after Bulldogs counterpart Tom Campbell was a late withdrawal, forcing Tom Boyd and Josh Dunkley to battle it out with the Giants big man.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.3 6.3 8.6 11.9 (75)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.4 6.12 7.17 9.19 (73)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Greene 3, Patton 3, Lobb
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Bontempelli 3, Daniel 2, Suckling
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Williams, Greene, Cameron, Kelly, Shiel, Scully
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Daniel, Johannisen, Hunter, Dahlhaus
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Sam Reid (hamstring)
Western Bulldogs: Tom Campbell (ankle) replaced in the selected side by Bailey Dale, Tom Liberatore (concussion)
Reports: Toby Greene (GWS) reported for striking Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs) in the third quarter
Umpires: Deboy, Meredith, Ryan
Official crowd: 14,048 at UNSW Canberra oval
