Free agent Giants player Harry Himmelberg training as a forward under new GWS coach
Harry Himmelberg, one of the most vaunted free agents of 2023, is training as a forward despite a successful move to defence in the back half of 2022, writes DANIEL CHERNY.
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Greater Western Sydney’s Harry Himmelberg, one of the most vaunted free agents of 2023, is training as a forward despite a successful move to defence in the back half of 2022.
Himmelberg, 26, had been a consistent goalkicker for the Giants under Leon Cameron, booting 38 majors in 2019 and 36 in 2021.
However following Cameron’s mid-season resignation, the 195cm Himmelberg was shifted into a defensive role under caretaker coach Mark McVeigh.
The shuffle reaped rewards, with Himmelberg polling five Brownlow Medal votes and finishing fourth in the Kevin Sheedy Medal, behind only Sam Taylor, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Green.
GWS then bolstered its key forward stocks by taking Darley’s Aaron Cadman at pick No.1 in the national draft.
But despite the presence of both Cadman and primary spearhead Jesse Hogan, the Giants have thus far in the pre-season opted to send Himmelberg back to the forward group, in an early indication of new coach Adam Kingsley’s plans.
Himmelberg told the AFL website earlier this year that he was comfortable at either end.
“I did play a fair bit of back coming through the ranks so it‘s not completely foreign to me, but I’m really enjoying it. One of my best mates Isaac Cumming is back there as well and we’ve enjoyed being able to collaborate with each other,” Himmelberg said.
Himmelberg, from the Riverina and a product of the GWS academy, was a first-round selection in 2015 and is among the top free agents in the 2023 pool, which also includes Jack Crisp, Darcy Parish and Ben McKay.
The Giant has played 127 games, including the 2019 grand final. Younger brother Elliott earlier this year signed a two-year contract extension at Adelaide, tying him to the Crows until the end of 2024.
Originally published as Free agent Giants player Harry Himmelberg training as a forward under new GWS coach
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