‘We’re the hunters’: Adam Kingsley stays calm despite talk over GWS’ flag chances

Plenty of pundits have declared GWS the frontrunner for the premiership after a stunning win over Collingwood, but GWS coach Adam Kingsley has hosed down any favouritism, saying is side is still the hunter.

Kingsley’s messaging has remained consistent ahead of a match against the ‘dangerous’ Kangaroos. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Giants are confident they can continue being the hunters despite rocketing into premiership favouritism following their victory against Collingwood.

The impressive manner of their Opening Round win has led many pundits to claim Adam Kingsley’s side is set to break through for their first flag in 2024.

And while many of their players relish that pressure, Kingsley believes the focus should remain on who they’re playing each week rather than thinking ahead.

“We’re not too fussed about being a target by anyone,” Kingsley said. “We feel like we’re the hunters going into every game. We have that mindset every week.

“All we do is control what we can control and focus on our game and playing to the best of our abilities. The external expectation is really out of our control.

“Being hard and tough, playing with speed, all the stuff that you see most of the time is who we want to be and so that’s where we focus on.”

Kingsley’s messaging has remained consistent ahead of a match against the ‘dangerous’ Kangaroos. Picture: Phil Hillyard

That starts with a home clash against North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. The Kangaroos finished in the bottom two last season, but Kingsley is under no allusion of the challenge they present.

Two of North Melbourne’s three wins last year came in the opening fortnight of the season and he knows with another summer of training under their belt they will be playing with a point to prove at ENGIE Stadium.

“We’ve spoken about the opportunity and making sure that we avoid any complacency,” Kingsley said. “We know North Melbourne are a different unit right now than what they were last time we played them.

“It will be a tough game, we’re fully aware of that. Their talent is enormous. They play with a lot of speed. So if we’re not on our game, then we will get picked apart pretty easily.

“The moment we disrespect opposition is when we’re the team we don’t want to be and we’re not getting the results that we want.

“They’ll come out full of energy trying to play that brand that they’ve shown in practice matches full of speed and trying to take the game on. So it’s a really dangerous method if they’re allowed to play that way.”

The Giants will naturally have a slight advantage after starting their season last weekend against the Pies.

Callaghan had a strong week on the training track ahead of his first match for 2024. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While Kingsley is unsure just how much of a role that will have to play, the return of Finn Callaghan is set to take the Giants even closer to full strength.

Callaghan had a slight setback last week after stepping on a nail when walking back to his car from the beach, but has been named to play following a quick recovery.

The 20-year-old has become an integral part of the Giants’ Orange Tsunami play style and will add both speed and agility in their midfield.

“Whether we’re better prepared than what we were last week or not, it’s irrelevant. We just try and do our best and see where it takes us,” Kingsley said.

“We spoke with Finn about perhaps not walking around the beach in bare feet, but it’s hard to avoid that sometimes.

“He hasn’t played for a little while given he hurt his shoulder at training, so he won’t be at his best tomorrow afternoon, and that’s fine. He’ll work his way into it.

“We know he’s a high-quality player, a really important part of our team and hopefully we have him for most of our season.”

Kingsley confirmed that Isaac Cumming’s return has been pushed back “a month or two” after a calf injury at training. The news is better for Callan Ward who won’t need surgery for his shoulder injury and is about “six to eight weeks” away from a comeback.

Originally published as ‘We’re the hunters’: Adam Kingsley stays calm despite talk over GWS’ flag chances