GIANTS defender Heath Shaw has escaped with only concussion following an accidental collision with Kurt Tippett in the first quarter of Greater Western Sydney's 46-point loss to the Sydney Swans.

Shaw was taken to hospital immediately after leaving the field but he was well enough to be discharged not long after the game finished.

The incident occurred when Swans midfielder Ben McGlynn brought the ball out of their defensive 50m and found co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, who spotted Tippett wide open in the forward line.

McVeigh's long bomb was perfectly weighted and Tippett took the mark, but a charging Shaw tried to force a contest and ended up getting smashed flush on the jaw by the forward's raised knee.

Shaw didn't move after the unfortunate hit and was  taken from the ground on a medicab after an awful collision.

Nathan Wilson was activated as the sub for the visiting Giants, who were trying to back-up their shock round-one victory over the Swans at Spotless Stadium.

The game stopped as Shaw was cared for, with Tippett composing himself before converting the goal.