GWS vs. Collingwood: Kieren Briggs subbed out, Nick Daicos battles cramp in Giants’ win

Nick Daicos was unable to handle the heat of the Orange Tsunami in Sydney, but Craig McRae was quick to dismiss any fitness concerns for the Pie, while GWS have injury concerns of their own.

Collingwood can breathe a sigh of relief, for now.

Nick Daicos has Pies fans reaching for the rosary beads throughout the entire second half as he limped his way to the conclusion of a 52-point hammering at the hands of GWS.

But Collingwood coach Craig McRae confirmed it was just cramping that impacted the star midfielder and nothing more sinister.

“We were aware that Nick was cramping at halftime,” McRae said.

“I think he’s pulled up fine. It’s just a matter of now getting himself ready (for next week).”

Daicos was moved forward late in the third term and throughout the fourth as McRae tried to ease the load on teammates.

Daicos dealt with heavy cramp in the loss. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“We tried to take him out of the middle and let him get the minutes through,” he said.

“If he comes off the ground then there’s another load for others. Within reason we tried to look after him and look after others.”

It negated his impact on the rest of the contest with just four disposals in the second half after amassing 17 possessions through the first two quarters.

The use of a substitution was ruled out with Will Hoskin-Elliott taken out of the game midway through the third.

“Unfortunately Will had a sore back at halftime and we tried to see if we could get some more minutes out of him, but we had to reshuffle from that,” he said.

“It’s pretty hard to play this game when you’ve got a stiff back. We were probably going to make that call a bit earlier, but we just wanted to see it out. At that stage of the game it was in the balance.

“I think he should be fine.”

One certain casualty for next week is GWS ruck Kieren Briggs, who was taken from the field with a nasty concussion suffered in the opening term.

Adam Kingsley confirmed he was out for their trip to Melbourne but remained in good spirits on his condition moving forward.

“He was (knocked) out for a little bit so he’ll go through the protocols,” Kingsley said.

“He’s gone to Westmead (Hospital) as a precaution but I think he’s okay. Obviously it was a nasty incident. He’ll miss next week.”

The incident occurred in a pack mark, but Kingsley didn’t buy into the debate if Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron contributed to the injury.

“I didn’t see the actual contest. I saw Sam Taylor flying backwards,” he said.

“That was what caught my eye. I don’t know if he was pushed or not.”

CALLAGHAN, GWS DOMINATE HAPLESS PIES

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.

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

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.

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.

Originally published as GWS vs. Collingwood: Kieren Briggs subbed out, Nick Daicos battles cramp in Giants’ win