A strong showing from GIANTS draftee Zac Langdon in tonight's JLT Community Series clash with Collingwood could go a long way towards securing him an AFL debut.

Langdon, a mature-age recruit from the WAFL, will represent the GIANTS for the first time at UNSW Canberra Oval, and if things go well for the small forward, he's set for another trip to the nation's capital in less the month to kick off the 2018 season proper against the Western Bulldogs.

With Steve Johnson (retired) and Devon Smith (traded to Essendon) no longer at the club, and 2016 All Australian Toby Greene (toe) still not at full fitness, Langdon has the perfect opportunity to stake his claim for a spot in the GIANTS forward 50 at ground level.

Rookie Daniel Lloyd and the lightning-quick Lachie Tiziani will be in the same boat against the Pies.

GIANTS assistant coach Mark McVeigh will take over from Leon Cameron in the pre-season fixture and told AFL.com.au that Langdon has done everything right since he arrived in Sydney. 

"We've been really impressed with his work rate and his ability to work really hard as a small-to-medium forward," he said.

"His ability to play the game is clear so we're really excited to see how he goes. 

"He's a really good young kid too and that means a lot to our footy club because culturally we're trying to make sure we bring good people into the club and he's certainly one of those."

Second-year defender Harry Perryman is another GIANT with plenty at stake against the Pies. 

The departure of Nathan Wilson (traded to Fremantle) and a serious injury to Zac Williams (Achilles) means the highly rated GIANTS Academy graduate is being looked at to step up his impact after playing eight games last season. 

The 19-year-old has blitzed his second pre-season and looks ready-made to grab his chance.

"We really need Harry to cement his spot as that deep back," McVeigh said.

"His ability to kick the football is unquestionable but he's worked really hard on his fitness and is probably the fittest he's been in his life. 

"His running has gone to a new level so we expect big things from Harry in our back six this year." 

Former Collingwood ruckman Lachie Keeffe will run out against his old side and with Rory Lobb (groin) still not ready to play, McVeigh hinted the versatile big man could be thrust into the role Lobb filled last year as a swingman. 

"The good thing about Lachie is that he can play forward, on a wing, or as a defender, so we'll see him in all parts of the ground," he said.