GWS and Richmond will battle it out for the unofficial “Kingsley Cup” once they lock horns at Giants Stadium.
Adam Kingsley spent 4 years as an assistant at Richmond and helped the membership win two flags earlier than being appointed Giants coach on the finish of final season.
His intimate information of Richmond’s gamers might show to be an important benefit in Sunday’s match.
GWS defender Lachie Whitfield reckons the match holds additional significance for Kingsley, with the first-year coach even jokingly dubbing it the “Kingsley Cup”.
“He’s keeping it relatively low-key,” Whitfield stated.
“But you can tell there’s a little bit of extra passion in his voice when he’s been addressing the lads.
“He did point out it because the Kingsley Cup earlier within the week, so hopefully we will elevate that after the sport.”
The match will also mark Tim Taranto’s first match against the Giants since joining Richmond at the end of last year.
Taranto booted four goals from 33 disposals in Richmond’s 10-point loss to Port Adelaide last week, and he looms as a key figure against his former side.
“Tim was an enormous a part of our tradition up right here in Sydney. Everyone cherished him,” Whitfield stated.
“He was some of the favoured guys right here. Seeing him depart was fairly unhappy.
“He’s doing really good things at Richmond – he’s probably been one of their best players.
“I do know the (Giants) boys will most likely be entering into him pre-game and through the recreation, after which we’ll share a beer with him after the sport.”
Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter is looking forward to going head-to-head against his good friend Kingsley.
“I like Kingers. I look as much as him loads,” McQualter stated.
“He’s been nice for me personally, and was nice for our footy membership.
“I still speak to him a lot. I haven’t spoken to him this week. I look forward to the challenge.”
Damien Hardwick’s shock resolution to face down as Richmond coach final week has raised doubts about whether or not star veteran Dustin Martin will keep on the Tigers.
Martin is contracted till the top of 2024, however there’s hypothesis he might play elsewhere subsequent season.
McQualter dismissed the chatter.
“I think it’s almost been three years in a row where about the same time of the year the chat about Dustin comes up,” he stated.
“Dustin’s in a terrific spot at the moment. He’s as invested as you could ever imagine at our footy club.
“He’s pleased, he is having a good time taking part in footy.”
The Giants, who upset Geelong final week, have been bolstered by the return of Harry Himmelberg from concussion.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
