The GIANTS have stormed into the top eight for the first time in almost two months after edging Hawthorn by 11 points at Spotless Stadium.
Key forward Jonathon Patton largely struggled on Saturday night,
But the former No.1 draft pick stood up when it counted most, booting the sealer from a tough spot after he was awarded a free kick with a tick under four minutes remaining.
"That was a big kick,"
"A lot of pressure.
Hawthorn ball magnet Tom Mitchell had a game-high 50 disposals, while the GIANTS co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis starred to help their side prevail 13.17 (95) to 13.6 (84).
The result rocketed the GIANTS, who slipped out of the top eight in early May during a four-match losing streak, to sixth on the ladder.
They have won four on the trot and next tackle West Coast, Richmond and Port Adelaide in a challenging stretch that has the potential to make or break their campaign.
The GIANTS won clearances 51-28 and had 53 more contested possessions than Hawthorn but couldn't put the Hawks away until late in the final quarter.
"We lacked some of the polish of the GIANTS ... the scoreboard flattered us a little bit," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.
The GIANTS snatched a 24-point lead after their most productive first quarter of the year, overwhelming the Hawks with frenetic pressure and frantic ball movement while kicking five goals – three off the boot of Rory Lobb.
The visitors reduced the margin to a single point during the third term, aided by the hosts' inaccuracy, but the
Ben McEvoy, Luke Breust
"The easy thing is for players to panic," Cameron said.
"Every time they came at us, we found a way."
Patton loomed as the man most likely to fill the immense void left by fellow foundation GIANTS Jeremy Cameron, who sat out the first of five games he'll miss through suspension.
Instead, it was Lobb who caused the visiting defenders plenty of early headaches, although he faded after his incredible start.
Lobb, who left the ground in an ambulance just three weeks ago, looked set for a big night in his return from a fracture in his thoracic spine.
But he was one of many forwards responsible for the home side's inaccurate haul of 1.8 in the second term, with the sole goal coming courtesy of a contentious
"That's almost a Rancey (Alex Rance) dive," Hawks defender Ben Stratton fumed to the umpire.
Hawthorn's Jack Gunston was a late scratching because of a corked calf and Will Langford suffered a finger injury.
MEDICAL ROOM
GIANTS: Jon Patton hurt his right knee in a ruck contest and came from the ground in the third term, but returned not long after and played out the match.
Hawthorn: Will Langford suffered a finger injury late in the second term. He battled on briefly in the third quarter but was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the match.
NEXT UP
The Hawks have another Saturday night clash, this time with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while the GIANTS take on West Coast in the final game of the round at Optus Stadium.
GIANTS 5.3 6.11 11.15 13.17 (95)
HAWTHORN 1.3 5.4 9.5 13.6 (84)
GOALS
GIANTS: Lobb 3, Ward 2, de Boer, Himmelberg, Shiel, Hopper, Coniglio, Griffen, Whitfield, Patton
Hawthorn: Bruest 3, Puopolo 2, Roughead 2, Ceglar 2, McEvoy, Sicily, Henderson, Smith
BEST
GIANTS: Ward, Whitfield, Coniglio, Shiel, Davis, Himmelberg
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Smith, Bruest, Sicily, O'Meara, Shiels
INJURIES
GIANTS: Nil
Hawthorn: Langford (finger)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Williamson, Fleer, McInerney
Official crowd: 10,866 at Spotless Stadium
