Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy feasted on their engine room's dominance, combining for 10 goals in the Bulldogs' 19.18 (132) to 6.8 (44) victory at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Luke Beveridge's men entered the contest with huge queries over their ability to compete with the best, winning just one of nine previous encounters with top-eight teams.
They provided some answers with a commanding performance - their second win over the Giants this season - that lifted them into eighth position ahead of the weekend's games.
The Bulldogs (12-8) kicked 11 of the first 12 goals on their way to a 67-point lead before halftime and were never challenged by a lacklustre opponent.
Key statistics told the tale; the Dogs dominated contested possession (137-86), clearances (41-24) and inside-50s (58-36).
"We understand the criticism around not necessarily being able to eke our way further up the ladder and beating some teams above us," Beveridge said.
"We get that and we've just got to own up to all of that.
"But along the way there hasn't been a game where we haven't been really thankful that the players have put in and done their best and tried to get everything out of themselves.
"Tonight was another one where the application was there right across the 23 players and it was obviously a terrific start.
"The cold, hard facts say that we need to keep winning, so it's one down and a handful to go."
Ruck star English (20 touches, 11 marks, two goals) was everywhere as captain Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Matt Kennedy and Ed Richards all got their hands dirty.
Key forwards Naughton and Darcy (five goals each) fired in attack with Lachlan McNeil (three).
GWS (13-7) had won their previous six games but lacked spark and were unable to overcome the loss of suspended skipper Toby Greene.
Giants coach Adam Kingsley conceded it was the worst defeat of his three seasons in charge.
"We got belted in the contest, plain and simple," he said.
"It was minus 51 in the end. You can't really compete when you're getting belted like that."
Kingsley felt his players were "off" but was at a loss as to why, also noting GWS have now lost nine of their last 10 meetings with the Bulldogs.
"The Bulldogs were clearly playing for their season and it just felt like we weren't, so that's disappointing," Kingsley said.
"They were really strong and they've been like that against us in the past for a number of times that we've played them.
"They're a bit of a hump that we haven't been able to get over."
Making matters worse for GWS, Toby McMullin's season could be over after he was subbed out with a suspected ankle syndesmosis injury.
And there is doubt over spearhead Jesse Hogan for next week's clash with North Melbourne after his sore foot flared up.
Lachie Ash (36) and Lachie Whitfield (29) had plenty of touches but the Giants had few players who could hold their heads high.
Jake Riccardi and Aaron Cadman finished with two goals each for GWS.
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