GIANTS forward Harry Himmelberg is confident the team’s young forwards can stand up to the challenge of a tough Round 23 fixture against Melbourne and during finals.
First-year players Zac Langdon and Brent Daniels have added forward pressure and brought zip in the GIANTS’ attack, while Himmelberg, 22, was often a focal point up forward during Jeremy Cameron’s five-week suspension.
Big-bodied midfielder Aiden Bonar has also impressed in the first three games of his career and impacted on the scoreboard, with five goals to his credit.
“I think we’ve seen that Aiden Bonar can come in and, in his third game, he’s had a massive impact,” Himmelberg said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Brent Daniels, Zac Langdon – we saw Sam Taylor (in defence) – all these young boys are coming in with a real confidence, and the boys have real confidence in them that they’ll get the job done.
“They have so far, so hopefully we can continue that.”
Himmelberg and Rory Lobb formed handy dual targets up forward during Cameron’s hiatus, and played a crucial role as the GIANTS won four games during the five-week period to get their season back on track.
“It was a little bit more of a responsibility, but it really helped that Rory Lobb could come back a little early from his ribs (injury) and give me a hand as well,” Himmelberg said.
“When we do have those injuries, we’ve always got players that are coming in and playing their role, which is what’s expected and what’s we’ve got this year, which is really pleasing.”
After playing 16 games across his first two seasons in a mix of defence and forward, Himmelberg has cemented his spot in the side in 2018, playing all 21 games to date and kicking 25 goals.
His contested marking has been impressive, and he has continued to bring forward pressure, laying 48 tackles.
His kicking for goal has improved in the back half of the season, with 13 of his goals coming in the past five games.
“I went through a little patch there where I couldn’t kick one, but hopefully the tables have turned and that holds for the rest of the year,” Himmelberg said.
“I did a lot of work with Brad Miller, who’s our forward coach, around my kicking and my set shot.
“So that’s starting to pay off, which is pleasing.
“(It was just) a few little tweaks with my technique. I kick around the corner a little bit naturally, which was affecting the way I was trying to kick set shots.
“So just a few little tweaks and a few little cues that you go through with your routine, and (I) came out the other side, which is good.”
The GIANTS prepare to take on an in-form Melbourne side – fresh off beating second-placed West Coast in Perth – at the MCG on Sunday.
The Demons are poised to play their first finals series in 12 years, while the GIANTS can still finish anywhere from third to seventh on the AFL ladder.
Himmelberg said the GIANTS were ready to take on the Demons in what is shaping as an ideal hitout on the eve of finals.
“It’s a really bit contest this weekend and it’ll be a good hitout right before finals for both teams,” he said.
“They’ve played some really good footy over the year and finished off the season really well. That’s something that we’re looking to do as well, just looking to get that little bit of practice in a big game before finals.”
