Greater Western Sydney has fought back from a 29-point deficit to beat Essendon by less than a goal in their round-10 AFL match in wet conditions in Carrara.

The Giants and Bombers managed just four points between them in the first quarter on the Gold Coast in the lowest-scoring opening term since 1965.

But the Bombers broke the contest open with five straight second-quarter goals, stretching that lead again early in the third term before their attack slowly disappeared in an 8.11 (59) to 8.7 (55) loss to the Giants.

The Giants kicked just two first-half goals but Essendon managed just 16 points in the second half.

Leon Cameron's troops overcame a 16-point margin against the Bombers in the final quarter thanks to two Jeremy Cameron majors and Heath Shaw's first two-goal bag in eight years.

Callan Ward then goaled from a penalty, the insurance they needed when Adam Saad launched a long-range goal with just seconds remaining.

The Giants stay in seventh place on the AFL ladder with the win, while the Bombers missed a chance to leapfrog them into the same position.

Giants veteran Shaw provided the talking point of a dour first quarter when his bump on Jacob Townsend ended the Bomber's evening in sickening fashion.

The pair clashed in the goal square, Townsend then thudding to the ground to end his night inside the first few minutes of the contest.

A pumped Sam Draper kicked his first AFL goal for the Bombers, before Giants defender Phil Davis was thrown forward and helped set up a Jeremy Finlayson goal.

Davis was soon hopping off with a knee injury, but was able to return as they went about their recovery.

Cameron lobbed up with two crucial goals, his second set up brilliantly by Harry Himmelberg's dash down the right wing.

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Kyle Langford was the only multiple goal kicker for the Bombers with two for the match.

The Bombers next play on Wednesday against Gold Coast in Carrara, while the Giants have a bye.

AAP