GWS star Harry Himmelberg plays down heroics after match-winning efforts against Hawthorn

GWS hero Harry Himmelberg has revealed how close the Hawks came to victory and blowing up the Giants’ season in Adelaide.

Harry Himmelberg had a huge impact at both ends of the ground in the dying moments of GWS’ two-point win over Hawthorn. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GWS hero Harry Himmelberg was convinced his team was staring down the barrel of another loss and 1-4 start to the season before he pulled off a miraculous matchwinning save in Adelaide on Sunday.

The Giants’ forward, who took a towering forward-line mark and kicked a goal to put his side three points in front in the dying stages of their win over the Hawks, says he was worried Jarman Impey’s last minute shot at goal was going to sail right over his head.

But Himmelberg managed to touch the kick with a desperate jump backwards, and his effort kept the Giants in touch with the middle of the pack, with a 2-3 record and handy percentage of 94.

“Off the boot I thought it was way over my head, and I was a bit flat, but then I saw it started floating in the air with a bit of wind, so I just jumped up like an idiot and just got it,” Himmelberg said.

Himmelberg soared for this mark and kicked a goal just moments before his desperate save in defence secured the Giants their two-point victory. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

“I knew I touched it, but I didn’t know where I was – I thought I was over the line.”

The 26-year-old has had a quiet start to the season statistically but already provided some stunning highlights for GWS fans, with his huge late mark against the Hawks likely to contend with his round 1 screamer over Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien for Mark of the Year.

“I haven’t seen the replay but (Sunday’s mark) hurt a lot more, I landed on my side on someone’s boot,” Himmelberg said.

“It’s good … we’ve lost a few close ones that we should have won this year, and I think we’ve been in every game we’ve played – we just haven’t put four quarters together.

“To be able to sort of scrounge out that, even though we probably didn’t play our best footy, that’s pleasing and that gives us more belief going into next week.”

GWS coach Adam Kingsley says he has been pleased with Himmelberg’s competitiveness despite a frustrating start to the season. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

GWS coach Adam Kingsley said Himmelberg’s heroics at either end of the ground reflected the “luxury” the Giants had with choosing his position.

The 195cm utility haso only kicked seven goals for the season, but Kingsley said he was competing strongly in the air along with Jesse Hogan.

“He’s a really important cog to what we want to build … again whether that’s forward or back, we have that luxury I suppose you call it with his capacity to play at both ends,” Kingsley said.

“Depending upon the pieces that we can add to it, that will probably dictate that more.

“I’m really pleased by how he’s going, he’s been a little quite in some of the games in early parts, but he’s having moments, and I know he just competes as well, that’s the most important thing in a key forward.”

Originally published as GWS star Harry Himmelberg plays down heroics after match-winning efforts against Hawthorn