The GIANTS will be thankful it has two weeks to recover for round one after three key players were injured in the 38-point JLT Community Series win over North Melbourne on Friday night.
Forward Steve Johnson (concussion) and key defender Aidan Corr (hand) went down in the opening quarter, while star midfielder Stephen Coniglio (ankle) left the field midway through the third term and also finished the game on the bench.
Despite their injury worries, the GIANTS were too good for North in the second half to win 2.15.17 (125) to 0.12.15 (87) at UNSW Canberra Oval.
Coniglio was the leading possession winner on the ground with 21 when he was forced off, after his left leg twisted awkwardly under his body while being tackled in the centre square by North onballer Andrew Swallow.
Johnson was involved in a heavy collision with Kangaroos midfielder Shaun Higgins early in the match, when the pair appeared to clash heads in an accidental clash.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron was hopeful of having his players fit and healthy before the season proper.
"It's always disappointing (to get injuries) in your last game, you try and get through unscathed as well as play some good footy," he said after the match.
"We expect Steve (Johnson) to be OK but he's pretty knocked out at the moment, Aidan Corr isn't looking the greatest with his hand, and (Stephen) Coniglio with the ankle.
"We'll get them looked at Monday, it's not ideal but that's life."
Jeremy Cameron faces a nervous wait from the Match Review Panel after he was reported for striking Scott Thompson in the final quarter.
Reigning club champion Toby Greene had a night out for the home side with five goals and 26 disposals, while Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel were prolific through the midfield, and Heath Shaw racked up a game-high 33 touches across half-back in his usual role as the Giants' set up man.
Athletic forward Jarrad Waite booted five goals and dragged in 10 marks to be a potent target for the Roos, with Kayne Turner also dangerous at ground level with three of his own, and Swallow and captain Jack Ziebell typically tough at the contest for most of the night.
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott was happy with his team's pre-season despite the loss.
"We got what we wanted out of the three games, we got a look at a lot of players we haven't seen before, and they mostly acquitted themselves really well," he said.
"We played three really quality opponents in Sydney, Hawthorn and GIANTS, so we got really good hit-outs.
"We're really conscious that GIANTS were looking at a lot of things and we were too today, so the result is secondary, how we went about it was the main thing and that was pleasing."
WHAT WE LEARNED
GIANTS: The GIANTS' medical staff are going to be busy over the next fortnight. Johnson (concussion) won't be an issue for round one, but Coniglio (ankle) and Corr (hand) might need some intense treatment to get up for the clash against Adelaide on the road.
North Melbourne: The Roos need a fit Ben Brown back in the forward 50. North used Majak Daw and Brayden Pruess as tall forwards against the GIANTS, along with star ruckman Todd Goldstein, but all three struggled playing as forwards, and failed to impact the contest. Brown (knee) has had a limited pre-season but should get some game time in the VFL before round one, to press his claims for a place in Brad Scott's 22.
NEW FACES
GIANTS: Draftee Tim Taranto started on fire with five early possessions and set up the game's second goal with some quick hands under pressure. Did his chances of a round one debut no harm with another solid showing, in fact he's just about locked up his spot on the plane to Adelaide.
North Melbourne: He's slightly built, but Jy Simpkin showed why the Kangaroos took him with the first selection and 12th overall at last year's NAB AFL draft with some quality moments playing forward, which included a classy goal in the third term.
GIANTS 0.4.2 0.5.7 1.11.12 2.15.17 (125)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.3.4 0.6.9 0.8.13 0.12.15 (87)
SUPERGOALS
GIANTS: Smith, Wilson
North Melbourne: Nil
GOALS
GIANTS: Greene 5, Cameron 3, Smith 3, Ward 2, Coniglio, Patton
North Melbourne: Waite 5, Turner 3, Clarke, Simpkin, Hibberd, Daw
BEST
GIANTS: Greene, Shaw, Ward, Smith, Kelly, Shiel
North Melbourne: Waite, Swallow, Ziebell, Turner, Gibson, Thomas
INJURIES
GIANTS: Steve Johnson (concussion), Aidan Corr (hand), Stephen Coniglio (ankle)
North Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Jeremy Cameron (GIANTS) for striking Scott Thompson (North Melbourne) in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Donlon, O'Gorman, Harris
