‘Trying things I didn’t want getting out’: Adam Kingsley on Giants’ secret pre-Brisbane training session

Adam Kingsley on Thursday asked for cameras to be turned off, saying ‘we were trying a few things that I didn’t really want to get out’. LACHLAN McKIRDY was there for the secret session.

The Giants are leaving no stone unturned in their semi-final preparations, with Adam Kingsley for the first time even asking cameras to be turned off for a specific 10-minute section of Thursday’s main training session.

It was a unique request from the second-year coach who usually is very relaxed with media access, but it provided a sense of how determined they are to book their place in another preliminary final.

The match simulation at first glance didn’t look too unusual from the orange tsunami game plan they’ve become known for. However, the first passage of play would have brought a smile to Kingsley’s face with Toby Bedford winning a clearance directly from Kieren Briggs’ tap, before delivering the ball lace out to Jesse Hogan in the goalsquare.

Bedford was also given another rousing endorsement by his coach ahead of his return this Saturday against the Lions.

An element of mystery surrounded the Giants’ last main training session before Saturday’s semi final. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“(I asked) very politely,” Kingsley smirked.

“I just think we were trying a few things that I didn’t really want to get out. I’m not going to tell you what they were either before you ask, we just wanted to keep it a bit more secluded.

“We’ve got a really fit squad, everyone virtually to choose from other than some long-term injuries. Toby will play, really excited about that and we need to sit down this afternoon and work out exactly who he goes to or what he does.”

Brent Daniels was looking on from the sidelines for some of the session, but Kingsley confirmed the star small forward was just being managed in preparation for the Brisbane clash.

The form of Toby Greene has been called into question again this week after missing some gilt-edged chances against the Swans. While he finished goalless for the match, Kingsley was still pleased with parts of his skipper’s performance but admitted he’s expecting more this weekend.

“I don’t know if he was poor against Sydney,” he said. “I think he contributed. He had some opportunities that he would have liked to have taken and that would have certainly helped us.

“We need him to play better than what he did. Obviously, he was against Rampe and he’s a terrific opponent.

“He’s going to get Starcevich again this week, he kept him to four possessions last time we played for the bulk of it. It’s another tough match-up.

“But, you know what? He’s one of the best players in the competition. We expect him to work his way through any match-up he gets and impact the game like he usually does.”

Bedford will return on Saturday, but Kingsley is hoping for more from his captain Toby Greene (L) against the Lions. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Kingsley was particularly wary of the talent the Lions possess across the park. Having moved on from the dramatic nature of their loss to Sydney, their focus has been on repeating their elite pressure against one of the form teams across the second half of the year.

One advantage for the Giants will be their home crowd at Engie Stadium which is tracking to hit at least 20,000 fans for their first home final since 2019. But with two wins over the Lions already in 2024, Kingsley believes they can draw from those matches on how to break down one of the AFL’s most consistent teams.

The Giants are hoping to make it three wins from three against the Lions in 2024. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“They’ve got a fantastic team,” Kingsley said.

“It’s the reason why they’ve been in six consecutive finals, more than any other team currently. So, you know, let’s give them the credit. And given the opportunity they can beat us.

“We’ve managed to play pretty well against them. We’ve needed to play our best.

“We play a different brand, but we certainly value the contest equally. We’ve got to make sure we get that done in the first quarter, last time against them up in Brisbane we didn’t, minus 25 contested possessions at quarter time and they punished us.

“From that moment on, we won the contest and stoppage which allowed us to get back into the game. I think that’s largely where the game will be won or lost.”

Originally published as ‘Trying things I didn’t want getting out’: Adam Kingsley on Giants’ secret pre-Brisbane training session