Oh how the mighty have fallen!

Reigning AFL premiers Collingwood looked anything but a championship unit as they launched their 2024 season with a convincing defeat at the bands of a new-look Giants.

Irish forward Callum Brown kicked a career-best five goals as Greater Western Sydney romped to a convincing 32-point win over the hapless Magpies.

The Giants’ superior efficiency in attack told the tale, with Brown and Jesse Hogan (4.0) combining for nine straight majors in a 18.6 (114) to 11.16 (82) victory at Engie Stadium on Saturday night.

But it came at a cost as Callan Ward was substituted out of the game at halftime with a serious right shoulder injury after falling on the joint under the weight of a Beau McCreery tackle.

Sweet taste of revenge

Veteran midfielder Ward, who is just four AFL games shy of 300, will have scans on Sunday but is expected to be out of action for a couple of months.

After suffering a heartbreaking one-point loss to Collingwood in a preliminary final last year, GWS were the far slicker and hungrier side in their opening game of the new season.

Josh Kelly (32 touches, one goal), Tom Green (30 disposals, nine clearances, one goal), Stephen Coniglio (28 possessions, four clearances, four goal assists) and Lachie Whitfield (33 touches) all starred for the Giants.

Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley stood up in defence, while Brent Daniels (four goals) and former No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman (two) also did well in support of Brown and Hogan up front.

-AAP