Giants get back up to speed for Pies clash

It has left Adam Kingsley's men behind the eight-ball ahead of another huge test against the Magpies at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

Angwin acknowledged GWS had drifted from their trademark in recent outings, but said they took positives from last week's second half.

"We like to play with the handbrake off," Angwin told AAP.

"It's about playing with a bit more freedom and trying to get more speed on the ball and the game ... it's something that we've put in place for the last three or four years and it hasn't been that way for the past two weeks now.

"We've got to get back to that and put it into place against Collingwood."

The Magpies have been bolstered by the inclusion of captain Darcy Moore and fellow key defender Jeremy Howe for the first time this season after both overcame injuries.

Craig McRae's men come off an early-season bye into a rare home game at the AFL-owned Docklands venue, with a parochial crowd set to welcome the Giants in the primetime slot.

"We embrace the travel aspect and we don't play many night games, so to get a Friday night against Collingwood is big for the club," Angwin said.

"As players, we absolutely love it, and they're a very good side so it'll be a great challenge.

"We need to get our system up and going, and what better time to do it."

Friday night focused. pic.twitter.com/2QjbNLAmCC— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 25, 2026

GWS have battled a significant injury list this season and named teenager Ollie Hannaford to make his debut, with inexperienced utility James Leake recalled for his first game of the season.

Jack Buckley (concussion) is unavailable and Harry Rowston was dropped.

Kingsley flagged earlier this week that Aaron Cadman, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford could all return from injuries, but none of the trio were selected.

Collingwood ruckman Oscar Steene will make his debut, with Wil Parker, Ed Allan and Jack Buller all dropped.