Geelong has recorded a hard-fought four-point loss to Greater Western Sydney in their Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

The Cats rallied from 31-points down to hit the lead in the final term, but a spectacular finish from Giants skipper Toby Greene saw the visitors record a 11.12 (78) to 11.8 (74) victory.

CATS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

Playing a Club record 356th AFL game, Tom Hawkins didn’t take long to have an impact kicking a goal in the first term after his partner in crime Jeremy Cameron spotted him inside 50.

Hawkins’ expert set shot finish from a tight angle was one of many clinical finishes for the Cats in an evenly contested opening term. Geelong’s accuracy in front of goal kicking five straight helped them to a 14-point lead at quarter time.

The other contributing factor to the Cats early advantage was their ability to setup in the corridor and force the Giants wide which resulted in seven intercept marks for quarter.

The Giants responded with a dominant second term piling on six goals to one to head into the main break with a 19-point lead. Their second quarter dominance started in the middle with a plus 10 advantage in clearances helping them win the territory battle.

After slotting three goals in the first half, Jake Riccardi soon had a fourth as the Giants jumped out to a game high 31-point lead after kicking the opening two goals of the third term.

However, this is when the Cats mounted their comeback, and it was their three big forwards that did the damage. First Jeremy Cameron, then Shannon Neale and Hawkins as the Cats closed within 13 points of the Giants heading into the final term.

Tyson Stengle ignited the Cats with two brilliant finishes to start the fourth quarter and draw Geelong level with the Giants.

Sam De Koning in his return after missing last week had a couple of pivotal final term moments including an intercept to save a near certain Giants goal.  

Brad Close was next to hit the scoreboard, initially thinking he had kicked a major but the after a score review a behind was given and the Cats lead by a single point.

The pressure was immense as both teams increased their intensity ranking elite for pressure in the final term.

Against the run of play and from just their third inside 50 of the quarter, up stepped Greene who kicked a sensational goal to give the Giants the lead with eight minutes remaining.

A pulsating contest played out with the ball largely spent in Geelong’s attacking half, but they were unable to capitalise falling short of a memorable comeback win.

Max Holmes was brilliant again with a game high 32 disposals and a goal impacting the game across half back and in the middle.

Zach Tuohy (24 disposals, 6 clearances, 1 goal) and Tanner Bruhn (21 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 goal) also found plenty of the football and impacted the scoreboard.

Geelong will now regroup and look ahead to preparing for their Round 12 clash back at GMHBA Stadium against Richmond on Saturday 1 June at 7.30pm.

GEELONG                                   5.0    6.2     9. 5     11.8 (74)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     2.4    8.9    10.12   11.12 (78)

GOALS 
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Stengle 2, Close, Bruhn, Tuohy, Kolodjashnij, Holmes, Cameron, Neale
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi 4, Hogan 2, Greene 2, Daniels, Cadman, O'Halloran

BEST 
Geelong: Holmes, Bruhn, Tuohy, Guthrie, Stengle
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi, Greene, Briggs, Green, Taylor, Aleer

INJURIES 
Geelong: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio (left shoulder), Perryman (left hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES 
Geelong: Jack Bowes (replaced Toby Conway in the final quarter)
Greater Western Sydney: Toby McMullin (replaced Stephen Coniglio in the second quarter)

Crowd: 30,821 at GMHBA Stadium