GWS forward Harry Himmelberg can’t wait to play in front of 90,000 Collingwood supporters
HARRY Himmelberg is about to play in front of 90,000 screaming Collingwood supporters. But if you think he is worried about the pressure of the MCG, think again. This kid was born for the big stage.
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THEY say that programming for humans happens from birth and it’s in these infant years that a child’s sensory systems are locked and loaded for life.
GWS Giants tall forward Harry Himmelberg can’t remember watching Michael Jordan play live – he was a baby – but maybe, just maybe, something stirred deep inside his over-tired brain that night as he gazed up in wonder at the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.
Come to think of it, possibly not, but however, you might explain it, Himmelberg was born to embrace the big stage.
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Undaunted by the prospect of running out in front of 90,000 rabid Collingwood supporters at the MCG this Saturday night, Himmelberg, in just his third season of AFL says he’s been dreaming of this moment his whole life.
Himmelberg has kicked 28 goals this year, many of them at key moments, like his inspired double in last week’s knockout victory against Sydney at the SCG.
For years Himmelberg has lived off his Michael Jordan story, but now he’s imagining how a GWS premiership might roll off the tongue at dinner parties.
“I only lived in New York for a year and I was an infant. But I’ve told quite a few people and I don’t really explain that I was only a baby and I don’t remember,” said Himmelberg.
“I like to tell people that I’ve been to a Jordan game too. I don’t remember that either, but I did it.
“I’ve got a few tricks in the book.
“Growing up playing sport you always dream of playing on the big stage in front of crowds and it’s something that really excites me playing in front of a lot of people and playing in big games where there’s a lot on the line.
“It just really excites me and when finals time comes around it goes up another gear which adds another level of excitement and it’s really exciting to be honest.”
Himmelberg’s dad’s side of the family hails from Nebraska and the Giants’ forward weapon grew up between that farm and his mother’s family’s property in Junee, in the NSW Riverina.
One day he plans to put his dual citizenship to use, but for the moment he has the footballing world at his feet.
At the GWS’ training base, Himmelberg and partner in crime Jeremy Cameron have spray painted “Gold Zone” in bright yellow letters in front of the goal square.
“We had to write it so the mids know where to kick the ball. A lot of them are a bit thick … but that’s where we want to take the marks, right in front,” he said.
Himmelberg says his confidence in front of goal has come from Cameron and his teammates – even the thick ones in the midfield.
“We’ve matured as a team and we know that our best footy stacks up so hopefully we can bring that on the weekend,” he said.
“I’ve done a fair bit of work with Jezza being a similar style of a player. A tall forward that can play on the ground and can get up the ground as well.
“Just watching the way he goes about it gives me a lot of confidence.”
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Originally published as GWS forward Harry Himmelberg can’t wait to play in front of 90,000 Collingwood supporters
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