Greater Western Sydney have made a meritorious start to the 2012 AFL pre- season, a five-point loss to Western Bulldogs in the first match of Saturday night’s triple-header in Blacktown.

The hosts lacked potency up forward, but were a long way from being disgraced in the 0.5.5 (35) to 1.3.3 (30) loss.

The Giants trailed by 13 points at the major break, and an upset was on the cards soon after when a super goal from ex-Bulldog Callan Ward reduced the margin to just six.

However, the visitors regained the ascendency and replied with two goals in the space of a minute – the second coming from an off-the-ball incident.

Phil Davis had a late chance to tie the game in a goalsquare scramble, but his handball failed to find Curtly Hampton and the ball tumbled over for a behind.

Israel Folau was subbed off in the seventh minute of the second half, his tally for the game a modest three handballs and two freekicks against.

There were plenty of encouraging signs for GWS coach Kevin Sheedy.

Co-captains Ward, Davis and Luke Power impressed, while former Fremantle midfielder Rhys Palmer kicked a goal and had 10 possessions in a slick display.

Ruckman Jonathan Giles played a strong hand, rucking in the first half and kicking a goal while playing as a key forward for much of the second term.

For the visitors, Zephaniah Skinner kicked two goals in the first half and finished with 11 touches.

Skinner, who ducked and weaved though a handful of would-be GWS defenders to kick the first goal of the game, was drafted in 2010 but restricted to one game in 2011 due to a knee injury.