Greater Western Sydney Giants aren’t giving up on finals dream

The Greater Western Sydney Giants are three games out of the eight, but they aren’t giving up on their finals dream just yet.

Belief remains strong at the Giants. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Greater Western Sydney Giants star Harry Himmelberg insists his side hasn’t given up on playing finals footy this year despite a turbulent start to the season on and off the field.

Himmelberg also said he would back caretaker coach Mark McVeigh if he chose to throw his hat in the ring for the Giants’ full-time senior coaching job, which will become vacant from 2023.

After shaking off injury woes and charging into the semi-finals last year, the Giants were tipped to feature in September again this season.

But after GWS won only two of its first eight games, off-contract coach Leon Cameron resigned and left the side’s season in free fall.

However, the Giants have since appointed McVeigh as caretaker coach and enjoyed a huge win over West Coast last weekend.

As the side prepared for the second game of McVeigh’s tenure, to be played against Brisbane on Saturday, Himmelberg said belief remained strong internally.

“We’re a very resilient football club within our four walls,” he said.

“Finals is definitely not off the cards for us at the moment. We’ve got three wins on the board and we’re looking to add to that this weekend.”

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Harry Himmelberg says the Giants are backing themselves to play finals. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Giants’ fixture could work in their favour as they look to hoist themselves up the ladder; after the Lions clash, they’ll have the chance to freshen up with the bye and won’t face another side currently in the top eight in the five rounds to follow.

Himmelberg said the Giants’ slow start to the season last year had also given them belief that they could push for finals even if the chips were down.

GWS won only two of its first six games of 2021 but ended up making it to the second week of the finals.

“We saw last season, the way we started the season wasn’t ideal,” Himmelberg said.

“We had some losses throughout the year that we thought we probably could have avoided, but we still ended up getting through (to the finals).”

In his first game in charge, McVeigh shifted Himmelberg from the forward line to the back line and the move worked a treat.

Assistant coach Amon Buchanan confirmed on Thursday that Himmelberg would play down back again this weekend, but the shift remains a week-to-week proposition for the Giants.

“The dialogue me and ‘Spike’ (McVeigh) had is that we’ll just wait and see. It’s a week-by-week thing,” Himmelberg said.

“Obviously, forward is probably my preferred position, (but) the ability to seamlessly transition between the two is a bonus.

“It’s something that can help the team out.

“I got a bit more of the footy in my hands last week, which was good.”

Himmelberg would support Mark McVeigh if he put his hand up to coach full-time from next season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Himmelberg spent the early years of his career in the back line working closely with McVeigh, who was the Giants’ backs coach at the time.

The pair enjoy a close relationship and Himmelberg said he would support McVeigh if he put his hand up to take the senior coaching role on full-time from next year.

“I really enjoy working with him as a senior coach,” he said.

“Whether he wants to do that or whether he aspires to do that is a question for him, but I’d definitely endorse him, as a player. I love playing with him.

“He’s a really hard-nosed, no-fuss sort of footballer and that’s the way he coaches, which is really good.”

McVeigh missed training on Thursday to attend the birth of his third child but will be back on deck for Saturday’s game.

Originally published as Greater Western Sydney Giants aren’t giving up on finals dream