Both teams have changed since last time they met at Manuka Oval, but so much about this game was the same as the Western Bulldogs came from behind to earn a thrilling 22-point victory over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

Once again, Canberra's Jason Tutt (two goals) played a crucial role in getting his team home after coming off the subs bench in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs 17.8 (110) to 12.11 (83) stormed home, kicking the last six goals to again overrun the young Giants, who had led for almost the whole game.

A wounded Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen was inspirational in the last, kicking the first goal of the final term and it became a desperate armwrestle.

The umpires got in on the theatre as the Bulldogs looked destined to take the lead for the first time since the opening exchanges as Shaun Higgins flew for a certain mark.

He appeared to be tunnelled by Stephen Coniglio, but it was called play on and the Giants went straight down the other end for Rising Star Josh Kelly to soccer a goal to make it a 10-point game.

But the Dogs responded - Stewart Crameri (four goals) kicked his third and then Liam Jones kicked back-to-back goals to put the visitors in front for the first time since the opening exchanges.

Tomas Bugg gave away a 50-metre penalty to Higgins, who iced the game with a calm goal before Tutt ended the contest.

The loss of Shane Mumford (general soreness) threatened to be game defining with Jon Giles almost having to go solo against All-Australian ruck Will Minson.

But it was the Giants who were able to get on top early as they took full advantage of a two-goal breeze with a far more direct game plan.

Crameri opened the scoring, but then the Giants kicked five unanswered goals that included a contender for goal of the year from Jeremy Cameron, snapping a cracker over his shoulder from the right pocket.

Nick Haynes showed he's a star on the rise.

He roamed across half-back, his hard attack on the pill winning plenty of possessions.

With the change of ends came a change in momentum as the Bulldogs and Giants appeared to change places and it was the Doggies who were more direct.

But Cameron (three goals) was able to provide a target for the Giants as they counter attacked when they could and they wasted several clear-cut chances.

Both teams were forced to use their subs as a heavy collision between Will Hoskin-Elliott and Dale Morris forced them both from the field.

It gave Jed Lamb his GWS debut and brought goal-sneak Tutt.

A Cameron goal on the siren gave the Giants a 20-point buffer at the main break.

From there it became a ding-dong battle as the Doggies kicked the first couple of goals of the second half to get right back into the game.

A great tackle from Bugg forced a turnover the Giants pounced on and Curtly Hampton kicked a long running goal from outside the arc.

Jacob Townsend produced a bone-jarring hit on Griffen, forcing the latter from the field temporarily.

Giles had a massive quarter in the ruck as he got on top of Minson.

Haynes skipped forward and kicked a one-step goal from outside 50 and the Giants got away to a three-goal lead.

But the Dogs wouldn't lie down and kicked two late goals to make it an eight-point game. at the final break.