The GIANTS have sent a strong reminder to doubters of their premiership credentials after destroying Essendon by 72 points at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday.

Despite missing stars Josh Kelly and Callan Ward, the GIANTS' midfield dominated the contest thanks to the hard-running Stephen Coniglio – who kicked three goals and finished with 31 possessions – Tim Taranto (31 disposals, two goals and 10 tackles), Lachie Whitfield (30) and Jacob Hopper (28).

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The Bombers wilted under the relentless pressure of the winners and showing how much the much-hyped visitors were outmatched in the physicality stakes, they lost the contested possession count 157-118 in the 16.16 (112) to 5.10 (40) loss.

The final margin probably flattered John Worsfold's men after the GIANTS missed several set shots they should have nailed.

The GIANTS' backline was superbly led by co-captain Phil Davis and youngster Sam Taylor in the key positions, with Heath Shaw, Adam Kennedy and Zac Williams also outstanding at ground level.

Star forward Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals for the GIANTS.

It wasn't a great return for ex-GIANT Dylan Shiel despite his 25 disposals and seven clearances, with his impact limited by Matt de Boer.

David Zaharakis (25 touches), captain Dyson Heppell (25) and Devon Smith (24) were the chief ball-winners for the losers, but like Shiel, the trio found it hard to make their possessions count anywhere forward of centre.

In warm conditions perfect for a highly-skilled clash, Essendon's onballers held sway around the clearances early and led 13-4 at the first change, but once the footy spread from stoppages, the GIANTS ran the visitors off their feet.

The GIANTS kicked the only three goals of the opening term with Harry Himmelberg and Cameron influential in the air, and when Coniglio and Lachie Keeffe kicked truly not long after the first break, the home side had the first five.

Consecutive goals to Jake Stringer and Kyle Langford dragged the margin back to 20 points and gave the Bombers some momentum, but Keeffe kicked his second after a sharp snap from the pocket, and Cameron nailed another after the half-time siren to give his side back a handy 33-point advantage.

Keeffe's effort was commendable after he landed awkwardly in the first term and limped from the ground, only to return with his left knee heavily strapped, and when he added a third, after Cameron had done the same to open the quarter, the GIANTS' lead was out to 48 points.

Coniglio's second was one of six consecutive goals to start the final term and the margin blew out to almost 15 goals, before Aaron Francis and Mark Baguley booted the last two majors of the match.

MEDICAL ROOM

GIANTS: Key defender Lachie Keeffe's day looked over when he limped from the ground with a left knee injury in the opening term, but he returned to have an impact as a forward. He'll be one to watch this week. Harry Perryman was crunched in the second term and played out the quarter but didn't return after half-time with a shoulder issue.
Essendon: The Bombers looked to have come through the game without any concerns.

NEXT UP

Essendon has a six-day break to prepare for a clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in the Saturday twilight fixture, while the GIANTS make the long trek across to Perth to take on the reigning premiers West Coast at Optus Stadium later that night.

GIANTS          3.2    7.8    10.13  16.16 (112)
ESSENDON     0.4    2.5    3.8 5.10 (40)

GOALS
GIANTS: Cameron 4, Keeffe 3, Coniglio 3, Lloyd 2, Taranto 2, Himmelberg, Greene
Essendon: Langford 2, Baguley, Francis, Stringer

BEST
GIANTS: Coniglio, Taranto, Cameron, Whitfield, Hopper
Essendon: Zaharakis, Heppell, Shiel

INJURIES
GIANTS: Keeffe (knee), Perryman (shoulder)
Essendon: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Fisher, Mitchell

Official crowd: 15,424 at Giants Stadium