GWS coach Adam Kingsley says he can be in for an uncommon expertise when he coaches towards his former Tigers for the primary time on Sunday.
Kingsley, who was senior assistant coach to Damien Hardwick at Richmond earlier than he took the Giants job, mentioned the state of affairs can be “interesting come game day” as he goes to battle with gamers and training employees he nonetheless stays in contact with.
He mentioned he had been trying ahead to locking horns with Hardwick, however the shock resignation of his Port Adelaide premiership teammate final week had scuppered his plans.
“I was (looking forward to it), yeah – he kind of ruined that,” Kingsley mentioned.
“Obviously, we have a close relationship, having played together and now coaching for him the last four years, so I was looking forward to it, but it isn’t to be.
“Andrew McQualter is also a good friend, so that will be a good challenge for us.”
Kingsley mentioned the within data from his 4 years at Punt Road may give the Giants an edge as they appear to hold on the momentum from their victory over Geelong, which has stored them inside two video games of the highest eight.
“Clearly (I have) a lot of fond memories of Tigerland and most of those players are still there, so it will be interesting come game day, but once the game has started, it will be firmly onto my job and what I need to do to get our guys over the line,” Kingsley mentioned.
“It could be (an advantage) – I certainly understand how they’re going to play.”
The thrilling seven-point win in Geelong was “great reward for effort” after a number of shut losses, Kingsley mentioned.
“We’ve been competitive without necessarily getting the results that we want, so to be able to finish on the right side of the ledger in this game was really great,” he mentioned.
“It’s given us a little bit of a boost, there’s no doubt about that – a bit of energy around the group, a bit of excitement.”
He mentioned Harry Himmelberg was trying “really good” as he exited the concussion protocols forward of Sunday’s recreation, whereas he thought the Giants can be “quite friendly” in direction of their former teammate Tim Taranto.
The 25-year-old has loved an outstanding first season at Richmond, averaging 31 disposals, seven clearances and 7 tackles and is coming off a four-goal haul towards Port Adelaide final week.
“Well, hopefully (there is) not a performance out of him like last week, that was a pretty special game,” Kingsley mentioned.
“I’d imagine the crowd will try and put him off and show their support for our players, as they should.
“He’s a high quality player, been in really good form for the Tigers all year really … he’s one player that we have to make sure we contain so that they don’t get on top of us.”
Source: www.news.com.au