GREATER Western Sydney will be thankful it has two weeks to recover for round one after three key players were injured in the 38-point JLT Community Series win over North Melbourne on Friday night.

Forward Steve Johnson (concussion) and key defender Aidan Corr (hand) went down in the opening quarter, while star midfielder Stephen Coniglio (ankle) left the field midway through the third term and also finished the game on the bench.

Despite their injury worries, the Giants were too good for North in the second half to win 2.15.17 (125) to 0.12.15 (87) at UNSW Canberra Oval.

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Coniglio was the leading possession winner on the ground with 21 when he was forced off, after his left leg twisted awkwardly under his body while being tackled in the centre square by North onballer Andrew Swallow.

Johnson was involved in a heavy collision with Kangaroos midfielder Shaun Higgins early in the match, when the pair appeared to clash heads in an accidental clash.

GWS coach Leon Cameron was hopeful of having his players fit and healthy before the season proper.

"It's always disappointing (to get injuries) in your last game, you try and get through unscathed as well as play some good footy," he said after the match.

"We expect Steve (Johnson) to be OK but he's pretty knocked out at the moment, Aidan Corr isn't looking the greatest with his hand, and (Stephen) Coniglio with the ankle.

"We'll get them looked at Monday, it's not ideal but that's life."

Jeremy Cameron faces a nervous wait from the Match Review Panel after he was reported for striking Scott Thompson in the final quarter, while Toby Greene could also be in a hot water after a tangle with Sam Wright.

 

Reigning club champion Greene had a night out for the home side with five goals and 26 disposals, while Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel were prolific through the midfield, and Heath Shaw racked up a game-high 33 touches across half-back in his usual role as the Giants' set up man.

Athletic forward Jarrad Waite booted five goals and dragged in 10 marks to be a potent target for the Roos, with Kayne Turner also dangerous at ground level with three of his own, and Swallow and captain Jack Ziebell typically tough at the contest for most of the night.

 

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott was happy with his team's pre-season despite the loss.

"We got what we wanted out of the three games, we got a look at a lot of players we haven't seen before, and they mostly acquitted themselves really well," he said.

"We played three really quality opponents in Sydney, Hawthorn and GWS, so we got really good hit-outs.

"We're really conscious that GWS were looking at a lot of things and we were too today, so the result is secondary, how we went about it was the main thing and that was pleasing."

WHAT WE LEARNED
Greater Western Sydney: The Giants' medical staff is going to be busy over the next fortnight. Johnson (concussion) won't be an issue for round one, but Coniglio (ankle) and Corr (hand) might need some intense treatment to get up for the clash against Adelaide on the road.

 

North Melbourne: The Roos need a fit Ben Brown back in the forward 50. North used Majak Daw and Brayden Pruess as tall forwards against GWS, along with star ruckman Todd Goldstein, but all three struggled playing as forwards, and failed to impact the contest. Brown (knee) has had a limited pre-season but should get some game time in the VFL before round one, to press his claims for a place in Brad Scott's 22. 

NEW FACES
Greater Western Sydney: Draftee Tim Taranto started on fire with five early possessions and set up the game's second goal with some quick hands under pressure. Did his chances of a round one debut no harm with another solid showing, in fact he's just about locked up his spot on the plane to Adelaide.

North Melbourne: He's slightly built, but Jy Simpkin showed why the Kangaroos took him with the first selection and 12th overall at last year's NAB AFL draft with some quality moments playing forward, which included a classy goal in the third term.

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY      0.4.2    0.5.7    1.11.12    2.15.17 (125)
NORTH MELBOURNE                   0.3.4    0.6.9     0.8.13      0.12.15 (87)

SUPERGOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Smith, Wilson
North Melbourne: Nil

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 5, Cameron 3, Smith 3, Ward 2, Coniglio, Patton
North Melbourne: Waite 5, Turner 3, Clarke, Simpkin, Hibberd, Daw 

BEST 
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Shaw, Ward, Smith, Kelly, Shiel
North Melbourne: Waite, Swallow, Ziebell, Turner, Gibson, Thomas 

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Steve Johnson (concussion), Aidan Corr (hand), Stephen Coniglio (ankle)
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney) for striking Scott Thompson (North Melbourne) in the fourth quarter

Umpires: Donlon, O'Gorman, Harris

Official crowd: 3997 at UNSW Canberra Oval