GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley has heaped praised on his stingy backline after yet another impressive performance helped the GIANTS smash their way into the top eight with victory over Gold Coast in Canberra on Sunday afternoon. 

After holding a slim two-point lead at the half-time break, the GIANTS blanketed the Suns after the main break to restrict the visitors to just three second-half goals en route to a convincing 40-point win – securing an equal club-record sixth straight victory.

Led by the seemingly impassable Sam Taylor (15 disposals, 10 marks, nine intercept possessions), as well as huge performances from fellow tall defenders Harry Himmelberg (26 disposals, 12 marks, 10 intercept possessions) and Jack Buckley (15 disposals, 10 intercept possessions, six marks), the GIANTS’ backline was at its aggressive best on Sunday, turning defence into attack at any opportunity.

The defensive masterclass saw the GIANTS hold Suns young gun Max King goalless while fellow big man Levi Casboult was restricted to just one major for the day.

While his star-studded on-ball brigade often get the outside recognition, Kingsley was quick to highlight the often-unsung heroes of his red-hot side.

“I’ve been really pleased with our backline,” Kingsley said following the win.

“I’m not sure what the points against have been, but I reckon in the last seven-to-eight games we’ve probably conceded 100 once, against Richmond, and other than that I don’t think a team has kicked more than 75 against us.

“Our backline in particular has been great in contest and stopping teams from scoring and keeping us in every game. Then all that remains is for our offence to go out and kick a winning score. I think it’s almost as simple as that,” he said.

“We have some really good players behind the ball and some emerging players behind the ball. They’re all quite young, they’re all in their mid-20s, and all growing together. I think it’s a backline we’ll see playing together for a long period of time.”

One of those growing in his role is Himmelberg, who after being drafted as a forward has found his niche as a pillar in the GIANTS’ back six.

“I’ve found it really enjoyable, and you can’t complain when you’re winning games of footy,” Himmelberg said following his 26-disposal outing in the win over the Suns. 

“Obviously I played a little bit there last year but I’m really starting to click with guys like Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Connor Idun, mainly the tall guys there working together.”

Himmelberg also marvelled at his star fullback Taylor, who following his dominant performance against the Suns became the first player in GIANTS’ history to poll a perfect 10 AFL coaches votes in back-to-back games.

“The way he holds himself and carries himself, you wouldn’t know he’s a superstar,” Himmelberg said of Taylor.

“He’s a really good person and I think that sort of helps him perform the way he does.

“It’s hard to put into words because to be honest because he’s such an unassuming guy, and an absolute legend around the club and we love him, but what he produces on game day is really, really special.”

On the back of the win over the Suns, the GIANTS now sit seventh on the AFL ladder, overcoming a 4-8 start to storm into finals contention.

The GIANTS will aim for a new club-record seventh straight win on Saturday when they face the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat at 1:45pm.