Greater Western Sydney will host a preliminary final after running away from the Sydney Swans to win by 36 points in a brutal qualifying final at ANZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After taking a two-point lead to half-time, the Giants got some breathing space in the third term courtesy of a three-goal burst in five minutes from star forward Jeremy Cameron.
In front of 60,222 they stormed away in the final term to win 12.19 (91) to 7.13 (55).
The Giants will now have a week off before hosting a preliminary final against Hawthorn or the Western Bulldogs, while the Swans will lick their wounds and play a sudden-death semi final at the SCG next weekend against either Adelaide or North Melbourne.
In what turned out to be a demolition derby, the Giants were brilliant in their first finals foray, showing poise beyond their tender years to thoroughly deserve victory.
It could come at a cost though, with star Steve Johnson to face a nervous wait with the Match Review Panel following a first-quarter collision with Josh Kennedy.
Johnson collected Kennedy high with his left shoulder, forcing the Swan to be taken from the field for a concussion test.
Kennedy returned in the second term and played out the match.
Shane Mumford could also come under scrutiny after his brutal tackle in the second quarter left Kurt Tippett dazed.
The pressure valve was locked at extreme by the Giants for all four quarters, battering their big brothers with a 95-63 tackle count.
Stephen Coniglio (26 disposals, seven clearances, nine tackles and one goal) led the midfield barrage, while Cameron's four goals and the relentless running and precise use of Josh Kelly (24 touches), Toby Greene (20 and two goals) and Tom Scully (19 and two goals) were instrumental in victory.
The Giants showed from the first quarter they wouldn't take a backward step, with premiership winners Johnson, Mumford and Heath Shaw at the centre of most of the push-and-shove.
It was a dirty day for the Swans, with Tippett also undergoing a concussion test following an accidental knee to the back of the head from Callan Ward.
Like Kennedy, he returned in the second term.
Rising Star winner Callum Mills was a casualty, reduced to tears late in the second term after injuring his hamstring and taking no further part.
Dan Hannebery (31 touches), Kennedy (30) and Lance Franklin (20) – who played up the ground more than usual – tried hard in a losing cause.
The Giants were intent on moving the ball quickly, and after overcoming some early nerves, swept the ball from its back 50 twice for first-quarter goals to take the early ascendency.
The tackling was ferocious.
Nick Smith saved a certain goal when collaring Cameron in the goalsquare and also uncorked a fierce tackle of Ward that had the Giants skipper clutching his shoulder.
SYDNEY SWANS 3.3 5.7 6.10 7.13 (55)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.4 5.9 9.13 12.19 (91)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Papley 2, Jack 2, Hewett, Kennedy, McGlynn
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Greene 2, Scully 2, Smith, Whitfield, Coniglio, Ward
BEST
Sydney Swans: Hannebery, Kennedy, Aliir, Grundy, Franklin
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Scully, Greene, Whitfield, Cameron, Tomlinson, Kelly
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Mills (hamstring), Kennedy (head), Tippett (head)
Greater Western Sydney: Ward (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Chamberlain, Ryan
Official crowd: 60,222 at ANZ Stadium
