Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he is frustrated by his side's lack of consistency after the Pies were blown away in the first quarter against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

The Pies were unable to recover from a seven-goal first-quarter deficit, eventually falling by 47 points.

Collingwood looked to have turned around its poor recent form with a thrilling interstate victory over West Coast last week, but was ambushed by the injury-plagued Giants, who were missing several stars including Phil Davis, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly.

Buckley said the Pies were a team currently looking for consistency in their brand.

"We're not at all as consistent as we'd like to be," Buckley said.

"We weren't as clean inside as we'd like to be. We're a bit of a patchwork quilt at the moment, some good bits, some bad bits.

"Regardless of who we play or where, or what stage of the year, or where we sit on the ladder, if we don't find that consistency in our own performance, in our own brand, it makes it pretty difficult to find your best."

Collingwood won the inside 50 count 63-49 but was only able to manage 11 goals.

Buckley said his side wasn't able to do enough damage in the front half to keep itself in the contest.

"We kicked 11 goals in the end, most of that was from stoppages … but we weren't able to penetrate their defence," he said.

Buckley also lamented his side's poor defensive effort, noting it was the first time this season the Pies had conceded more than 100 points.

He said letting the Giants score eight goals in the first term created a hole that was "a bit too much for us to dig ourselves out of".

"The Giants were generally harder and cleaner around the contest which gave them better access when they went forward," Buckley said.

"The margin (was big) in the first quarter, so we just didn't turn up unfortunately."