A Toby Greene-inspired Greater Western Sydney won a thrilling clash over Richmond by 12 points at Giants Stadium on Friday night.

GWS had been forced to absorb wave after wave of Tigers pressure in their 9.8 (62) to 6.14 (50) victory. But having done that throughout several important passages of play, they then countered with surgical precision in a carefully meticulous and resilient performance.

And when they did counter, Greene was at the heart of it with a five-goal haul, to go with 18 disposals, eight marks and seven score involvements.

Richmond, dominant 89-point winners in last year's premiership decider, threatened to haunt GWS yet again on Friday night. But this time, it was in a different manner.

Having trailed by 27 points midway through the third quarter, Dustin Martin (23 disposals, two goals) inspired a comeback and quickly helped cut the deficit to just one kick.

But the Giants showed a newfound sense of strength. And when they needed a match-winner, they had one in Greene.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.4 5.4 8.6 9.8 (62)
RICHMOND 2.6 3.9 6.10 6.14 (50)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 5, Jacobs, Himmelberg, Kelly, Finlayson
Richmond: Martin 2, Castagna, Aarts, Bolton, Riewoldt

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Kelly, Coniglio, Whitfield, Haynes, Hopper
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Short, Pickett, McIntosh, Castagna

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Richmond: Nil