In seasons one and two, Greater Western Sydney fans came to Spotless Stadium anticipating certain defeat. Now they arrive knowing the Giants will be competitive. Perhaps next year, the Giants might even jag games like the one on Saturday night.

Strange things have happened across the league this weekend but unfortunately for the Giants, who kicked 5.6 in the last term, they could not join St Kilda and Carlton as shock winners. But they came tantalisingly close.

There were several periods of the game when it appeared the Cats would run out comfortable winners, rather than falling over the line by just seven points.

Exhibit A was the first quarter when the Cats dominated everywhere but the scoreboard. Then came a breathtaking half-hour  either side of the long break when they slammed on six consecutive goals to break the game open.

Nearing time-on in the last quarter, Joel Selwood converted a clutch shot from 50 metres out moments after future stars Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel missed gettable shots on the run.

But still the Giants kept coming. Had Tom Boyd goalled from 50metres out with about two minutes remaining it would have been a one-point game.

The Cats  had too much to play for though they did not always play accordingly. But they will finish the week in second place.

For long periods the Giants were in the game. This was due as much to the Cats’ wastefulness in front of goal and their young opponents’ refusal to yield.

As deep as the 21-minute mark of the last term the margin was a mere 15 points. Had  Treloar and  Shiel shown the poise of  Selwood the story could have been different.

Whereas the Giants pair  fluffed gettable shots, Selwood calmly converted a 50-metre clutch kick.

The final margin may be  slightly deceptive as to how far the Giants need to improve to be a top-four contender  but they are most certainly on the right track.

If not for a disastrous 10-minute period in the third quarter when the Cats piled on four consecutive goals  the Giants could have continued a weekend of boilovers.

GWS’ big four of Jonathon Patton, Jeremy Cameron,  Adam Tomlinson and  Boyd gave enough to show they can all play together.

Patton, pitted against Harry Taylor for much of the night, was the most dangerous of the quartet. He presented well and marked strongly. He finished the night with two goals and nine marks though, curiously, Taylor was also one of his team’s key contributors, setting up numerous counter-attacks with his 30 disposals.

Tomlinson showed again he has the motor to play as a midfielder, while Cameron is finding new life late in the season. It was his goal which gave the Giants a sneaky hope of pinching the game.

Boyd was unable to make much of an impact for much of the night but had several moments which will bolster his confidence, not least his one-hander and goal in the last quarter.

The Giants, however, were unable to capitalise on their monster talls due to their shoddy entries inside the forward 50 for much of the first three terms. It seemed at times kicking rainmakers to their skyscrapers was their modus operandi.

The Cats were more thoughtful with their forays forward. For much of the year they have been accused of being overly reliant on Tom Hawkins.

Against the Giants they were more prepared to run in waves and carry the ball. It was poetry in motion when it came off, as shown through goals to Josh Caddy and Mitch Duncan in the third term, and sloppy when it did not.

The Giants could not have asked for a better start, goalling inside the first two minutes via former Cat Josh Hunt, but Geelong controlled the rest of the quarter.

They dictated play, breaking down the Giants’ team defence with their quick hands and setting up numerous scoring opportunities, which their forwards squandered. In the end, they were fortunate it did not cost them the game.