The Kangaroos cast aside 24 hours of drama to post a comprehensive 51-point victory over a depleted Collingwood in their NAB Cup match at Gold Coast Stadium.

The Roos won 1.15.18 (117) to 1.8.9 (66) in front of an 11,341-strong crowd just hours after making the shock announcement defender Jonathan Hay had quit the game.

They were far too strong for a Magpies outfit missing its big guns, including skipper Nathan Buckley, Anthony Rocca, Paul Licuria, Brodie Holland and Alan Didak.

On the flip side the Roos were close to full-strength, with only veteran defender Glenn Archer (hamstring) sidelined.

Pint-sized midfielder Lindsay Thomas kicked an impressive four goals for the Kangaroos while his teammates Corey Jones and Shannon Grant bagged two apiece.

The stellar performance capped a dream debut on the Gold Coast for the Roos, who will play 10 premiership home games on the glitter strip over the next three years.

Pies stand-in captain Ben Johnson led the way for his team but there were few highlights for coach Mick Malthouse.

His side could only manage a Paul Medhurst goal and a Travis Cloke supergoal in the opening half to trail 0.9.11 (65) to 0.1.13 (18) at the major break.

Collingwood came out firing at the resumption, scoring quick goals through Leon Davis and Scott Pendlebury before the Kangaroos kicked back into action.

Jones nailed his team's first supergoal while Matt Campbell bagged his double 20 minutes into the third quarter.

The Shinboners held a massive 63-point lead at three-quarter time and despite Collingwood kicking the first three goals of the final quarter, the Roos were never threatened en route to a morale-boosting victory.

Roos coach Dean Laidley said it was important to make a good first impression on the Gold Coast.

"It was a sellout tonight and they had to lock the gates," he said.

"Those AFL supporters who come and watch the football, we want to turn them into Kangaroos supporters.

"First impressions are lasting impressions so we want those people to turn up again.

"We could've played the blind school today, it wouldn't have worried us.

"We weren't concerned about Collingwood, it was more about us."

Malthouse said he wasn't overly disappointed in the result after blooding several youngsters.

"We went in with a very young side ... maybe 800 games difference between the two teams," he said.

"Young men playing AFL football is not always easy early on. I think there were a lot of positives."

Magpies defender Harry O'Brien was taken to hospital at halftime after copping a knock to the ribs.

The Roos were rocked by news earlier that 27-year-old defender Hay had resigned from the AFL, informing the club on Thursday during a mediation session.

They wanted to reduce his three-year contract after discovering Hay had been diagnosed with bipolar depression in 2003.

The Kangaroos will meet either Fremantle or West Coast in the second round of the NAB Cup at Telstra Dome next Sunday.

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