Brendon Bolton might have hoped for a little less stress.

In his initiation to the top job, Hawthorn's interim coach was expected to have a relatively straightforward first day in the hot seat as last year's premiers took on Greater Western Sydney, last season’s wooden-spooners.

But the GIANTS had other ideas, giving the Hawks and their top-four hopes an almighty scare at the MCG on Sunday before Bolton's men claimed a hard-fought seven-point win.

They scraped over the line 14.10 (94) to 13.9 (87).  

Already missing a host of premiership stars, including Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, Josh Gibson and Brian Lake, the Hawks faced the GIANTS without midfielder Jordan Lewis, who was a late withdrawal. 

And the signs were there early that the GIANTS, after back-to-back 100-point thrashings, would not succumb as easily.

Midway through the third term the GIANTS took an 11-point lead, and although the Hawks edged ahead, they were never comfortable in the GIANTS' most impressive performance since their round one win over the Sydney Swans.  

Jack Gunston's long goal to put the Hawks 12 points up with only five minutes remaining in the last term was thought to be the sealer but even that didn't stop the GIANTS, who kicked another through Adam Treloar.

Trailing by seven points, GWS big man Jonathon Patton then marked strongly about 30m out directly in front but his shot sailed right, all but ensuring the Hawks' win - and Bolton's first in charge.

"Although it wasn't our best game of footy, we were really pleased that we showed some resilience and toughed it out," Bolton said.

"Full credit to GWS. Today they came to play and they put us under some pressure."

GIANTS counterpart Leon Cameron agreed but was left lamenting a game that, in the end, got away.

"In terms of the effort of our boys, that's the standard we probably had earlier in the year that's been missing the last couple of weeks, so I was rapt with that," Cameron said.

Gunston was instrumental with four majors, while Isaac Smith was the Hawks' best with 23 disposals and four goals (one in each term).

Grant Birchall (24 disposals), Liam Shiels (24) and Angus Litherland (19 and eight tackles) were solid contributors.

Although the GIANTS will be pleased with their competitiveness – they registered 104 tackles and were equal for contested disposals (155) – they have a concern with forward Jeremy Cameron.

Last year's All Australian, who kicked one goal from seven disposals as he battles through an ongoing ankle complaint, was reported for rough conduct in the second quarter for a bump on Jarryd Roughead.

Roughead was bending for the ball when Cameron appeared to collect him with his arm then his hip, and although Roughead was fit to take the free kick, Cameron's left arm required treatment after the incident.

Cameron played on but headed to hospital after the game with fears he may have broken his arm.

Lachie Whitfield was the GIANTS' best, gathering a career-high 32 disposals and providing run, creativity and class.

Devon Smith kicked four goals, and Will Hoskin-Elliott showed why he was top-five draft pick with some exciting high marks and smarts across half-forward.

All week predictions had cast the GIANTS as headed for their third consecutive 100-point thrashing, and with good reason.

Their past two weeks were ordinary – coach Leon Cameron even described last week's loss to Richmond as "tripe" – and in the two previous meetings between Hawthorn and the GIANTS, the Hawks had won by 83 and 162 points.

But the GIANTS led the Hawks by six points at the first change, having made the most of their early chances.

Where the GIANTS have been uncompetitive, they won the battle in the midfield, spread well and chose to put an undersized Hawthorn defence under pressure with long and deep forward entries.

Things had swung slightly the way of the Hawks by half-time, with a seven-point advantage but the GIANTS were hanging in.

The Hawks got to 13 points ahead after successive goals Gunston and Smith but GWS responded when the wiry Hoskin-Elliott snuck through his second goal.

After the main break, the GIANTS showed the first half was no fluke by continuing to fight until the final siren.

The Hawks hung on but only just, and the win saw them climb back to second on the ladder. The GIANTS, meanwhile, won a few fans.