A mark in the opening minutes. A goal to silences the parochial Adelaide crowd. Harry Himmelberg’s first-ver AFL Final started in a dream-like fashion.
It didn’t end that way.
“The crowd at the Adelaide Oval were very loud so I was a definitely nervous coming in but I was happy to kick it straight through,” he said after slotting the opening goal in last Thursday’s Qualifying Final.
“It was really exciting to kick the first goal on the weekend but the result was the main thing that was disappointing for the night.”
Despite the 36-point loss to the Crows last Thursday, the 21-year-old said he and the GIANTS’ playing group are feeling positive ahead of their Semi-Final against West Coast at Spotless Stadium this Saturday night.
“I think there were some positives signs from the game towards the back half of the game,” he said.
“If we can carry that into the back-half and play four quarters of consistent footy we’ll be a chance.”
Himmelberg looked cool, calm and collected during in his finals debut and just his 14th AFL game, collecting 13 disposals, taking three marks and laying eight tackles.
The second-year utility said he spoke to the GIANTS’ more experienced finals campaigners about how to deal with the build-up.
“The boys that have been around and played finals before they had good advice,” he said.
“I tried to keep calm and keep myself busy before the game.
“Once you’re out there you’re just running on pure adrenalin so the nerves go away pretty quick once you’re into it."
If he’s selected for the do-or-die final at Spotless Stadium, it will be the fourth time that Himmelberg has played the Eagles this year.
Himmelberg is looking forwards to the return to Sydney, not just for the familiar surroundings but also because of the support of the Orange Army.
“Like we saw on the weekend the home crowd definitely plays a role and the crowd was super loud there,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get all our fans and supporters along this weekend, it’ll definitely give us a boost.”
The GIANTS take on West Coast in a Semi-Final at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night with the winner to progress to a Preliminary Final.
