Star midfielder Finn Callaghan was a dominant figure for the Giants in their hard-fought 15.14 (104) to 6.16 (52) victory in energy-sapping conditions at Engie Stadium on Sunday.
But Briggs was taken to hospital after he was pushed under the ball by opponent Darcy Cameron in a marking contest and went head-first into teammate Sam Taylor's hip.
There did not appear any malice in the first-quarter incident, after which Briggs was assessed by medical staff and driven off the ground.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley later confirmed Briggs had concussion but believed the ruckman had been cleared of a neck injury.
"He was out for a little bit, so he'll go through the protocols," Kingsley said.
"He's gone to (hospital) just as a precaution but I think he's OK.
"Obviously it was a nasty incident, so he'll miss next week."
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos had 17 disposals and four clearances to halftime but battled leg cramps after the main break and was unable to have his usual influence.
Callaghan, who reportedly turned down one of the largest contract offers in history from St Kilda to stay with the Giants, finished with 33 disposals and seven clearances.
He also had game-high tallies of 12 score involvements and 726 metres gained, and capped off his outstanding performance with two goals.
Darcy Jones, Xavier O'Halloran, Max Gruzewski and Callum Brown also finished with two goals each.
Josh Kelly (36 disposals), Lachie Whitfield (26) and Lachie Ash (25) won plenty of the ball, while star backman Taylor was a rock in defence with four contested marks and 12 intercept possessions.Â
"I couldn't have been prouder and happier with the way we performed," Kingsley said.
"Our pressure and intensity around the ball was first-class and the way we moved the ball was really strong."
Josh Daicos (28 disposals) and former Giants midfielder Harry Perryman (27) were Collingwood's major ball-winners, while Brody Mihocek kicked two goals.
Ruckman Cameron exploited Briggs' absence to finish with 22 touches, 37 hit-outs and six clearances.
Three-goal bursts late in each of the first and second quarters gave GWS a 23-point lead at the main break.
Collingwood dominated territory during the third term, winning inside-50s 20-11, but managed just 0.5 to the Giants' 1.2 as Nick Daicos struggled with cramp.
The visitors were made to pay when Jones sprinted into an open goal at the other end to help give the Giants a game-high 26-point lead at three-quarter time.
Off-season recruit Tim Membrey gave the Pies hope with his first goal for the club at the start of the final term, but Brent Daniels responded and the Giants finished full of running.
Jones squeezed through his second major and debutant James Leake booted his first goal on debut, while captain Toby Greene's goal-saving tackle on Membrey in the defensive goal square was another highlight.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae felt his side had "patches of dominance" but lamented wasted chances when the game was there to be won.
"This is a game where you need to capitalise on your momentum and there were periods of the game where we thought we had momentum," McRae said.
"Inaccurate kicking does hurt and it certainly adds to it when you're winning inside-50s.
"I think we missed seven shots on the run. Those chances you've got to take against good opposition."
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