GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley says knocking off the Lions did plenty for the team's psyche despite their poor start to the season.

"They're a really good team, we know that, even though the results haven't been necessarily going their way this year," he said.

"They're really strong in the transition phase, they're a strong stoppage team, given the opportunity they've punished teams and they certainly did that for a small period to us.

"So we'll get tremendous confidence out of that, that was a really strong win."

While there were standouts all over the ground, Kingsley had plenty of praise for debutant Darcy Jones who was electric in his first game.

The livewire forward lit up Manuka Oval with a brilliant running goal in the first term before finding another major late in the piece.

Drafted with pick No.21 in the 2022 draft, Jones' first season was cruelled by injury after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his first appearance for the GIANTS' VFL side.

After toiling away in the VFL to start this season, the speedy forward finally earned the call-up this week to replace suspended skipper Toby Greene.

"He looked electric, he looked like every time he was near the ball something was going to happen," Kingsley said.

"I think he showed really good composure for a guy playing his first game. He played half a VFL game last year before he did his knee, then he's played three games this year.

"It's not a lot of footy and for him to come in, he's got real class, he's got speed, he's very skilful. I was really pleased for him because it's been a challenging 12 months and for him to finally break his way into the team and have an impact on the night, I was really pleased for him."

The GIANTS expect to regain All-Australian defender Sam Taylor (concussion) for the Sydney Derby next week.