Greater Western Sydney held off a brave fightback from Essendon, with a left-foot snap from Jacob Hopper at the death sealing a heart-stopping two-point win on Saturday.

The Giants looked home and hosed when Jeremy Finlayson kicked the first two goals of a seven-goal third term that put the Bombers on the ropes, but they refused to accept defeat.

Behind by an even five goals and with star forward Jake Stringer subbed out of the match due to injury, Essendon willed themselves back into the contest - and a long-distance set shot from Kyle Langford with less than two minutes left to play brought them back to within two points.

They thought they had a chance to go in front, but Cale Hooker spilled a mark under pressure from the brilliant Sam Taylor, and no free kick was paid. The ball then bounced up the other end, and Hopper threw it onto his non-preferred boot under pressure to seal the win for the Giants.

It wasn’t quite the final word - Langford responded straight away for Essendon with another goal, his third of the afternoon, but with only four seconds left, it was too little too late. GWS prevailed 16.11 (107) to 16.9 (105).

It was the Giants’ fourth win in five weeks, and they had an even spread of contributors. Josh Kelly (30 disposals, two goals, seven clearances) bossed the midfield with Hopper and Tim Taranto. Taylor was a colossus in defence, hauling in a match-high 12 intercepts to repel wave after wave of attack.

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Finlayson kicked three goals and, in tandem with Toby Greene (two goals, two goal assists), provided the requisite spark, but the fiery key forward could be facing a spell on the sidelines for a botched hit on Bombers star Zach Merrett.

The 25-year-old was put on report for an ugly first-quarter clash with Merrett, who the Giants seemed intent on roughing up all afternoon.