GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron believes star ruckman Shane Mumford is not far away from his best footy after serious ankle surgery last year. 

Mumford was a dominant player in the Giants' tough 13-point win over Geelong in Canberra, with his physical presence inspiring his teammates to their first victory over the Cats.

Click here for Leon Cameron's full media conference 

The 2014 club champion had 33 hit-outs to easily outpoint opponents Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley, but his attack on the contest also left the visitors reeling. 

Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan saw little action in the second half after Mumford crunched him early in the third quarter, and speedster Jordan Murdoch was also nursing a limp after a separate run in with the big man. 

"He was obviously very good. We know he's a physical presence for us, and bit by bit he's getting fitter and fitter," Cameron said post-match. 

"I said to him during the week that I reckon by round three or round four, he's going to be absolutely cherry ripe. 

"He had a few little setbacks in the pre-season, but he's such a competitive animal that he leads the way. 

"I thought some of the players responded from their poor games last week." 

Ryan Griffen was one of the Giants to lift after their disastrous round one loss to Melbourne, with the former Western Bulldogs producing a brilliant best on ground performance. 

The 29-year-old had 12 first-quarter possessions and finished with 31 for the day, 15 of those contested, and also nailed the sealing goal – his second of the match – deep in the final term. 

Griffen also won his battle with Geelong's number-one midfielder Patrick Dangerfield in a match-up that the GWS star asked for. 

"Ryan (Griffen) was the first one to put his hand up (to play on Patrick Dangerfield) last week, and I thought Griff had a great dual with Danger, who is a superstar," he said. 

"We had probably three or four of our midfielders down last week with their intent, but we challenged them during the week, the players challenged each other, and that's the pleasing thing. 

"Ryan Griffen played the way that we want Ryan Griffen to play, and that's hunt after the footy. 

"I thought he had some really big moments in the game." 

Cameron said Steve Johnson's effort against his old side was also significant, with the three-time premiership Cat gathering 23 touches and kicking two goals for the second week running. 

"Look, he's a competitor ... he loves to compete," Cameron said. 

"There'll be some frustrating times, but there'll be some really good moments that you guys are not going to see. 

"They're the moments that he's educating Rory Lobb and Jon Patton, so it was a really pleasing game."