Harry Himmelberg writes on GWS helping grow AFL in New South Wales, Collingwood rivalry and more

As GWS prepares to host Collingwood in an Opening Round blockbuster, Harry Himmelberg takes you inside the club’s growth from expansion newcomer to NSW sporting power.

The words took me by surprise the first time I heard them.

It was during one of the early school clinics I got to participate in after joining the Giants more than eight years ago.

The club was doing a great job embedding itself into the community, but it was clear there was still a long way to go.

“How many tries have you scored?” one kid asked.

“How many penalty goals have you kicked?” said another.

It was always going to be an adjustment for children in Western Sydney learning to love a sport that didn’t have a big presence in the region.

But speaking from experience, once you make the switch there is nothing like it.

Being from Wagga Wagga, Aussie rules didn’t feature a lot in my household.

Harry Himmelberg has been with the Giants since their formative days. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

My dad, Kevin, comes from America and loves his basketball. Mum was from a rugby league family so a Sherrin never really came into consideration.

If it wasn’t for the Giants Academy, there is no way I would be playing in the AFL now. I’d probably be painting and putting up trusses otherwise.

I loved my sport and enjoyed playing a bit of rugby league and basketball.

But the pathway to play footy around the country representing the Giants and then become a professional athlete? I couldn’t pass that up.

Jacob Hopper, Harry Himmelberg, Matt Kennedy and Matt Flynn at their Breakfast Point apartment after joining GWS.

The Academy gave me the chance to train with a specialist group of footy players, as well as the opportunity to travel across the Riverina to represent GWS.

It was necessary then with the Giants still in their infancy, but it’s amazing to see just how far the sport has come in under a decade. Even when I go home, the number of goalposts now permanently on ovals is incredible.

It’s also part of the reason why so many of us love playing for this club.

The Giants are basically one big country footy club with so many players coming from interstate, and every single member of our family feels like they have a role to play.

The fact we get to contribute to the growth of the sport in NSW and build a legacy far greater than our own is a bonus.

But we know that on-field success has an important role to play in that and that’s why we can’t wait to take on Collingwood this weekend at Giants Stadium.

Brayden Maynard, Jeremy Howe and Isaac Quaynor celebrate Collingwood’s thrilling preliminary final victory.

Last year, we were slow out of the blocks. As we adjusted to coach Adam Kingsley’s new game plan we only hit our strides in about June and the end product was there for all to see.

But the team that ended our run in last year’s preliminary final will be our first challenge of 2024.

We haven’t specifically spoken about ‘revenge’ against the Pies. But we won’t hide away from the fact that there is an extra incentive to start our season on the front foot against the benchmark team in the competition.

The crowd is going to be electric. We’ve had a few cracking season openers against the Swans, but the excitement for this is going to take it to another level.

Harry Himmelberg flies to spoil Mason Cox.

It feels like the momentum is turning for the club and if you’ve ever thought about getting to a game of AFL, this is the perfect time to do it.

While part of the appeal of the opening round is making the most of the NRL being away, this isn’t about Aussie rules taking on rugby league. We want fans to be able to embrace both because NSW truly is the biggest area for footy to grow.

I love being a part of this Giants side, as do all my teammates, and I hope that comes across on the field. The way we played last year was the most fun I’ve ever had in my career and we want those winning ways to continue.

This pre-season has been about giving us the tools to go to the next level.

We’re fit, we’re hungrier than ever and our confidence is sky high that success is just around the corner.

Originally published as Harry Himmelberg writes on GWS helping grow AFL in New South Wales, Collingwood rivalry and more