GWS coach Adam Kingsley will steer clear of questioning the loyalty of departed players as his side prepare to front up to Tim Taranto in the home clash with Richmond.
The Giants lost stars Taranto, Jacob Hopper (Richmond), Bobby Hill (Collingwood) and Tanner Bruhn (Geelong) during the off-season, stripping the squad of vital talent and experience.
GWS have already come up against Bruhn and Hill this season, and it will be Taranto’s turn in Sunday’s clash at Giants Stadium.
Hopper is still sidelined with a soleus injury and will miss the match.
Taranto has been a strong contributor for the Tigers this season, and last week booted 4.1 from 33 disposals in a 10-point loss to Port Adelaide.
GWS would have loved to have held onto Taranto but Kingsley won’t be using the 25-year-old’s departure as extra motivation.
“We’ll be focused on our job,” Kingsley told reporters on Wednesday.
“Last week we played against Tanner Bruhn. We didn’t mention him at all during the week and didn’t pour any additional energy into him on the weekend.
“Three weeks earlier it was Bobby Hill. I make a point not to focus on them leaving us, it’s all about us and what we need to do to get the job done.
“I’d imagine the crowd will try to put him off and show their support for our players, as they should.
“In terms of on the field, I’m not sure what the players’ reaction to him will be. I think they’re all quite friendly.
“But once that ball is bounced, it’s us against them and we’ll do whatever it takes.”
Kingsley described Taranto’s four-goal effort against the Power as a “special game”.
“He’s a high-quality player,” Kingsley said.
“He’s been in really good form for the Tigers all year, and he’s one player we have to make sure we contain so they don’t get on top of us.”
Kingsley joined Richmond as Damien Hardwick’s assistant in 2019 and played a role in two flags during his four-year stint there.
The pair were set to duel against each other as head coaches for the first time on Sunday, before Hardwick’s shock resignation last week.
“I was looking forward to it but he kind of ruined that,” Kingsley joked.
“We have a close relationship having played together and coaching for him for the past four years.”
Kingsley said the Tigers’ caretaker coach Andrew McQualter is also a good friend.
Although GWS (4-7) sit a lowly 14th, they are brimming with confidence following last week’s shock seven-point win over the Cats in Geelong.
The Giants will be boosted by the return of Harry Himmelberg from concussion.
Australian Associated Press