GEELONG'S five game winning streak has come to an end after falling to GWS by 19-points at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.

The Cats rallied in the last quarter after being behind for most of the night but fell short going down 8.17 (65) to 13.6 (84).

Toby Greene was the mastermind behind the upset win for the Giants with 16 disposals and four goals, but it didn't come without controversy with the a raised elbow, part of an attempted fend-off to shrug the tackle of Patrick Dangerfield, caught the Geelong superstar to the throat. It forced him to be substituted before quarter-time, then sent to hospital for precautionary checks.

When it came to Friday night, however, the good almost certainly overshadowed the bad for the Giants. Without a goal as the first quarter ticked into time-on, Greene's snap started a barrage of four majors in the next six minutes as the visitors quickly soared into a 25-point buffer on the other side of the opening change.

But this was no one-man show. Tim Taranto (34 disposals, nine tackles, two goals) dug deep in the midfield, Isaac Cumming (34 disposals, 997m gained) ran all night, while Sam Taylor (21 disposals, 12 marks) shaded his battle with reigning Coleman Medal winner Tom Hawkins.

Many of them did the heavy lifting when Geelong answered strongly with successive majors early in the second term. The result was GWS steadying to restore its four-goal buffer by the main break.

Greene had two by that stage, but added two more midway through the third term as the margin continued to balloon. A couple of goals for first-time Irish starter Callum Brown made it six of the last seven for the Giants, and soon had that buffer stretch to as much as 38 points.

Geelong needed a response. Jed Bews (23 disposals, seven marks) and Jake Kolodjashnij (20 disposals, one goal) attempted to repel the damage at one end, while Jack Henry (16 disposals, seven marks, two goals) was swung forward and had an impact at the other. It came as sluggishness was replaced by urgency across the field.

The Cats had nine consecutive scoring shots as the margin was slashed to just nine points midway through the fourth quarter. But that comeback coincided with Gary Rohan being withdrawn due to a leg injury and Zach Tuohy making his way to the bench with a hamstring issue.

A disappointing Jordan Clark set-shot miss from nearly point-blank range, which could have brought Geelong to within three points, reflected a night of frustration for the Cats. Tanner Bruhn and Harry Himmelberg made him pay at the other end, and instead one of the season's bravest victories was secured by the Giants.

Kolo the goalkicking king at the Cats

Before the drama came the end of a drought. Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij had waited 127 games for his first ever AFL goal. But he had to wait just 31 seconds on Friday night before finally breaking the duck and putting the Cats on the board. His long effort, drilled from beyond 50m out, even had coach Chris Scott on his feet in the coaches' box. Receiving the ball in space from Patrick Dangerfield, the big defender didn't think twice before effortlessly slotting the effort through from long-range. His teammates got around him, and deservedly so. This was a moment 127 games, eight seasons and 10 behinds in the making. Unfortunately, it ended up being the high point on a sour night for the Cats.

A bleak night for sorry Cats

Not only would the result have caused Chris Scott some headaches, but the long-term ramifications of Friday night's defeat could also bring some stresses. Patrick Dangerfield was subbed out of the game and taken to hospital with a throat injury following Toby Greene's contentious fend-off, while Gary Rohan (leg) and Zach Tuohy (hamstring) were also withdrawn from the match in the final quarter. Luke Dahlhaus and Mark Blicavs were others to spend time with the medical staff. Joel Selwood could also be looked at by the Match Review, having elected to bump Sam Taylor in an incident that left the Giants youngster rubbing his head. Dangerfield's injury, and the threat he misses a substantial period heading into the finals, will undoubtedly be Geelong's biggest concern.

GEELONG                                      1.3    3.9    5.10    8.17 (65)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY    4.3    7.4    11.5    13.6 (84)

GOALS
Geelong: Henry 2, Ratugolea 2, Kolodjashnij, Blicavs, Hawkins, Tuohy
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 4, Brown 2, Taranto 2, Himmelberg 2, Buntine, Sproule, Bruhn

BEST
Geelong: Bews, Selwood, Stewart, Henry, Kolodjashnij
Greater Western Sydney: Taranto, Greene, Taylor, Cumming, Whitfield, Ward, Himmelberg

INJURIES
Geelong: Dangerfield (throat), Rohan (leg), Tuohy (hamstring)
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly (quad) replaced in selected side by Buntine, Daniels (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Narkle (replaced Dangerfield)
Greater Western Sydney: Shipley (replaced Daniels)

Crowd: 0 at GMHBA Stadium