A dominat 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.

With a near full-strength midfield available for the match, the GIANTS 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.

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. 

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.

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.

WHAT WE LEARNED
GIANTS: 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.

Collingwood: The Magpies haven't solved their scoring issues. They got enough from dual key forwards Ben Reidand 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.  

NEW FACES
GIANTS: 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 GIANTS 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.

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.

GIANTS     2.2     4.3     10.8     14.12     (96)
COLLINGWOOD                                1.3     2.4       2.4        5.6        (36) 

GOALS
GIANTS: Lloyd 3, Shiel 2, Tiziani 2, Himmelberg 2, Cameron, Taranto, Patton, Simpson, Ward
Collingwood: Phillips, Cox, Reid, Hoskin-Elliott, Pendlebury

BEST 
GIANTS: Shiel, Whitfield, Coniglio, Shaw, Finlayson, Shaw, Kelly
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Grundy, Adams, Thomas, Maynard 

INJURIES
GIANTS: Heath Shaw (cut head)
Collingwood: Adam Oxley (shoulder)  

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McInerney, Nicholls, Ryan, Stephens

Official crowd: 6,642 at UNSW Canberra Oval