GWS vs. Collingwood: All the news from the second clash in Opening Round

GWS’ Orange Tsunami showed it’s back to terrorise opposition clubs in 2025 – with another gun mid ready to break out – as a hapless and cramping Collingwood was the first side in the gun.

The developing Opening Round rivalry between GWS and Collingwood added another chapter in a fiery encounter in Sydney.

Last year it was Collingwood big man Mason Cox who lit the fuse who labelled GWS’ home ground as a ‘showground for livestock’.

This time around the hits came on the field in a drama-filled afternoon.

It started with the Giants losing their ruck in the first quarter, continued as coaches Craig McRae and Adam Kingsley drew the ire of the AFL officials and finished with one of the league’s best under an injury cloud.

Collingwood’s afternoon was summed up late in the fourth quarter as Tim Membrey opted to play on at the top of the goalsquare, only to be run down by Toby Greene and for the Giants to go down the other end and kick a goal.

The Giants defence completely shut down the Magpies in the second half, keeping them to just two goals as they ran out convincing 15.14 (104) to 6.16 (52) winners as they showed no ill effects of their disappointing end to 2024.

Darcy Jones celebrates kicking a goal with Aaron Cadman. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

GIANT DOWN EARLY

A mellow went over the Sydney Showground when big Kieren Briggs was taken from the field on a medicab after a sickening head knock, ruling him out of the game midway through the first quarter.

The match came to a standstill for close to 10 minutes while he received medical attention after innocuously copping a hip to the head from Sam Taylor in a case of friendly fire.

It forced former Magpie Lachlan Keeffe into rucking duties.

GONE IN 70 SECONDS

The Giants went to another level after the injury as they turned the game on its head in the space of 70 seconds.

Keeffe and Finn Callaghan controlled the middle as GWS kicked three quick goals to open up a 21-point margin on the Magpies they would hold into the second term.

Collingwood was left to lament inaccuracy in front of goal with just one Bobby Hill crumbing goal to show from their seven scoring shots, despite the fact all key stats were even among the two sides.

MOMENT OF MADNESS

As Brody Mihocek lined up a shot at goal from the top of the 50m arc, Toby Bedford slung Jack Crisp to the ground and conceded a 50m penalty, giving the Pies an easy score.

Jamie Elliott made it back-to-back majors after Collingwood secured the ensuing clearance, getting them right back into the contest.

Bedford’s infringement occurred near the benches and drew the attention of Magpies coach Craig McRae, with Giants counterpart Adam Kingsley swiftly sticking up for his man.

DAICOS SENDS SCARE

Nick Daicos sent a scare through the entire Collingwood fanbase when he required attention early in the third quarter after limping.

Pickle juice didn’t do the trick as he continued to look uneasy putting weight on his left leg, soon after being given a breather on the bench to receive treatment on his calf.

Nick Daicos deals with cramp. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

He was thrown back into the fray four minutes later, but was exposed in a contest when he could barely move and appeared to cramp in his right leg this time.

Daicos had just three touches in the third term and started the fourth on the sidelines receiving additional treatment from the physio.

Originally published as GWS vs. Collingwood: All the news from the second clash in Opening Round