Giants expect Magpies to hit back hard

Giants star Serena Guthrie predicts pre-season Super Netball favourites Collingwood will strike back hard after a mediocre start to the new competition currently led by her own club.

Collingwood were expected to take the fledgling eight-team competition by storm after snapping up half a dozen internationals from some of the more established clubs.

However, the Magpies (two points) are running sixth after losing two from three.

Fellow newcomers, the Giants (six) and Lightning (five), are the only unbeaten sides and clash on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

The Magpies lost the opening round to local rival Melbourne Vixens but rebounded for an away win over 2015-16 trans Tasman competition winners Queensland Firebirds before slipping at home the Giants last weekend.

"Collingwood are a classy side and I'm sure they will be back with a vengeance towards the end of the season," English midcourter Guthrie told AAP.

"But it's nice for us to be recognised this early in the season as a strong side in the competition,.

"Obviously it's been a good start but we're not looking too much into it."

The eight-goal win over Collingwood in Melbourne infused the Giants with confidence and signalled the start of a testing travelling stretch for the Sydney club.

After the Sunshine Coast game they travel to Canberra for a home match against Adelaide Thunderbirds and play the Vixens in Melbourne.

"We've got a couple more away games coming up the next few weeks, so (the win over Collingwood) is something we can take forward," Guthrie said.

"(We're) staying in our own little orange bubble the next couple of rounds and taking on these teams."

Used primarily at wing defence in the past, Guthrie is relishing starting at centre for the Giants.

"It's been really fun and I know I've got a lot of growth in that position still to come," she said.

The established England international said Giants' coach Julie Fitzgerald had created an amazing environment.

"She's constantly challenging you and I can't really ask for anything more," Guthrie said.