GWS coach Adam Kingsley is confident his side can challenge "the best team over the last eight to nine weeks" and secure a spot in the finals after their stunning 126-point triumph over Essendon at Giants Stadium. The Giants put one foot in the AFL finals with a club record score and winning margin as Jesse Hogan booted nine goals to crush a lacklustre Bombers outfit 25.12 (162) to 5.6 (36) on Saturday. The ruthless display lifted the Giants' percentage from 98.6 to 105.6 and sent a warning shot across the competition, but they might still need to win their round 24 clash with Carlton and hope other results go their way to finish in the top eight. "They (Carlton) have obviously been in wonderful form. They've won their last nine, so they're a terrific team, probably the best team over the last eight to nine weeks," Kingsley said. "It's going to be a big challenge for us, but we'll have a crack. "If we relax or have a slip up now, we're out and we know that. We're desperate to play finals and I think you'll see that in our performance next week." Hogan made the most of a superb all-round performance from the Giants to bag a career-high haul while gathering 17 marks and 24 disposals. Gun onballer Tom Green (39 disposals, 18 contested, nine clearances) was crucial to setting the tone for the Giants, while veterans Stephen Coniglio (31 touches), Josh Kelly and Callan Ward (both 30) were also important. The Giants (12-10) made an early statement in the virtual elimination final as they booted 13.5 to 2.1 in the opening half, including a rousing 40m banana kick from the boundary by Brent Daniels. The hosts proved to be too polished from there and were able to rest Toby Greene for their crunch clash with Carlton by subbing out their captain in the third term. "It was a great performance. Every time the ball got kicked to him, it felt like he marked it whether that was on a lead or in a contest. I thought he just demanded the ball," Kingsley said of Hogan. "You see the ones that he marked but I thought he competed really well, and when you do that, you typically get rewarded. Tonight was his turn." The Bombers (11-11) are now all but out of the finals race as they were outplayed from the early exchanges and looked to be limping to the line with one round to play, while the Giants started strongly and powered away. Andrew McGrath (32 disposals), Zach Merrett (27) and Darcy Parish (25) found plenty of the ball for the Bombers but had little impact as the Giants were ultimately able to cruise to new club benchmarks. "I've been really proud of the group this year that they've been able to fight and, at least up until round 23, put ourselves in contention to at least be part of finals," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "In a strange sort of way that just makes it crystal clear how much work we've got to do on all aspects of our game, on all aspects of our list, all aspects of our footy department. "I don't need to repeat that, the evidence was there tonight." Australian Associated Press