A DOMINANT third quarter from a new-look Giants outfit has helped them to a 60-point win in their JLT Community Series opener against Collingwood in Canberra.
Led by 2017 All Australian Dylan Shiel, who kicked two goals from his 10 possessions, the home side booted 6.5 and held the Magpies scoreless to end the contest in a one-sided third term.
Both sides were unsure if they would get a full game in when three of the light towers at UNSW Canberra Oval were out when the match started, but a crisis was averted when they kicked in just after the first change.
With a near full-strength midfield available for the match, GWS experimented by using Shiel as a permanent forward at times, while gun wingman Lachie Whitfield starred in an unfamiliar role across half-back, and constantly set his side up with his precision kicking from defence.
Whitfield finished the night with 25 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency to put his hand up to replace the injured Zac Williams (Achilles) in the Giants' backline.
GWS coach for the night Mark McVeigh was full of praise for Whitfield's performance.
WATCH: Dylan Shiel's long bomb finishes off some nice teamwork
"Lachie was able to go back last week against the Swans, so we wanted to have another look at him and he did quite well," he said post-match.
"That’s not to say that’s where he's going to end up (permanently) but we were really impressed with his work ethic down there."
Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward and Josh Kelly wielded their usual influence as onballers, while the experience of Heath Shaw and Phil Davis shone in defence, alongside youngsters Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Perryman, who stood out with their brilliant foot skills.
Watch all JLT Community Series matches LIVE in the AFL Live Official App
While both sides found scoring difficult in an error-riddled first half, Ben Reid and Mason Cox at least gave the Pies two strong targets, but with Jamie Elliott missing there was little danger at ground level.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said his side has plenty of work to do.
"We didn't do the basics well and our disposal was poor, and we got smacked in the clearances after quarter-time," he said after the loss.
"The forward line really relies on getting its fair share of supply, and after quarter-time that didn't happen."
Collingwood used star runner Steele Sidebottom as a deep forward at times with little effect, but the midfielder was arguably his side's best with 24 touches.
WATCH: Giant Daniel Lloyd launches one from the centre square
WHAT WE LEARNED
Greater Western Sydney: With so much midfield depth the Giants got creative with their onballers and if the list stays healthy they might continue throughout the season. Lachie Whitfield starred across half-back in an unfamiliar role, while Dylan Shiel was outstanding, with the 2017 All Australian spending more time forward than usual and finishing the game with two goals.
WATCH: Young gun Tim Taranto snaps truly
Collingwood: The Magpies haven't solved their scoring issues. They got enough from dual key forwards Ben Reid and Mason Cox to be encouraged, but if Nathan Buckley intends to use gun youngster Darcy Moore in defence, they need to find more options. Travis Varcoe started well but faded badly, while the likes of Tim Broomhead and Josh Smith just couldn't find the footy.
WATCH: Skipper Scott Pendlebury nabs a consolation goal for the Pies
NEW FACES
Greater Western Sydney: Mature-age draftee Zac Langdon showed some glimpses of his talent playing across half forward, getting himself into plenty of good positions without getting much reward. Nick Shipley did some useful things on the wing, especially in the first half, and used the ball smartly on most occasions.
Collingwood: The Pies' top 10 draft pick Jaidyn Stephenson looked at ease at this level, with the 19-year-old picking up some useful touches playing across half-forward. Big-bodied rookie Brody Mihocek also settled nicely playing as a key defender on GWS star Jeremy Cameron. The 25-year-old from Tassie looked at home in the one-on-one contests, while fellow rookie Flynn Appleby was another solid performer in the back half.
WATCH: Harry Himmelberg bags his second goal
NEXT UP
The Giants head back to Sydney for their second clash with the Swans in three weeks at Blacktown on Friday night, while the Pies face the Western Bulldogs in country Victoria at Moe on Saturday.
JLT Community Series: When's your team playing?
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 2.2 4.3 10.8 14.12 (96)
COLLINGWOOD 1.3 2.4 2.4 5.6 (36)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Lloyd 3, Shiel 2, Tiziani 2, Himmelberg 2, Cameron, Taranto, Patton, Simpson, Ward
Collingwood: Phillips, Cox, Reid, Hoskin-Elliott, Pendlebury
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shiel, Whitfield, Coniglio, Shaw, Finlayson, Shaw, Kelly
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Grundy, Adams, Thomas, Maynard
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Heath Shaw (cut head)
Collingwood: Adam Oxley (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McInerney, Nicholls, Ryan, Stephens
Official crowd: 6,642 at UNSW Canberra Oval
