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GWS Giants hammer Collingwood in AFL preseason trial

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AFL premiership contenders Greater Western Sydney have smashed Collingwood by 60 points in Canberra as light issues continue to plague the preseason series.

The Giants blew Nathan Buckley's team away on Thursday night with a sensational six-goal third quarter when the Magpies failed to register a score.

Ace midfielder Dylan Shiel (29 possessions and two goals) was in amazing touch, proving to be the catalyst in the 14.12 (96) to 5.6 (36) result.

The match was in some danger of being called off early with three light towers at UNSW Canberra Oval not operating for the entire first quarter.

Full light came on early in the second quarter, allaying fears from the crowd of 6642 that the towers would not be on by the time it became dark.

It comes on the back of criticism surrounding the light quality during Wednesday night's match between Carlton and St Kilda at Ikon Park.

There was plenty to like about last year's beaten preliminary finalists, with Shiel, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield playing more like it was September, not March.

20-year Lachie Tiziani did his chances of a round-one debut no harm, slotting two goals, while Daniel Lloyd added three.

The long-awaited return of former Western Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen was put on ice, withdrawing from the team with soreness to the same ankle that caused him problems last year.

Reigning Copeland Trophy winner Steele Sidebottom was comfortably Collingwood's best and skipper Scott Pendlebury kicked a goal as he spent some time forward in his first game since round 17 last year.

Their top pick in last year's draft Jaidyn Stephenson showed glimpses of his talent, giving off a gift to Tom Phillips for the Magpies' first goal.

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