Greater Western Sydney have backed Adam Kingsley as the man who can deliver the club their maiden AFL flag, re-signing the coach on a three-year deal.
Kingsley has reaped the reward for his success in lifting the Giants from the AFL doldrums and will remain at the helm until at least the end of the 2028 season.
The former Port Adelaide premiership player was already contracted for next year’s campaign and remains bullish about their road to a flag within his tenure.
GWS are chasing back-to-back finals appearances, sitting fifth on the ladder with five rounds left of the regular season and boasting a three-game winning streak.
“We all, like every other club, want sustained success and we’re teetering on the edge at the moment around the (top) eight,” Kingsley said on Thursday.
“I see us being able to compete like this each and every year moving forward.
“I and our coaching group can contribute pretty strongly to the growth of our young guys and hopefully, ultimately win the premiership that we’re all chasing.
“I was always really keen to stay. The club certainly were obviously keen to have me extend so they came.
“It was a pretty easy negotiation in the end.”
Kingsley was appointed as the club’s head coach ahead of the 2023 season after a 15-year coaching apprenticeship with Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Richmond.
In his first season at the helm of an AFL club, GWS transformed from a side that finished 16th in 2022 to one that fell just short of a grand final berth.
As a result, Kingsley was voted by his peers as the AFL Coaches’ Association coach of the year.
Kingsley also led the Giants to wins at 11 different venues last season, setting a VFL/AFL record.
With a Saturday clash against Melbourne looming, the road warriors are aiming to turn the MCG into a home away from home in preparation for finals.
The Demons’ talismanic captain Max Gawn is expected to be given the green light after suffering a chip to the base of his right fibula against West Coast in round 17.
His absence was especially felt last week when Melbourne lost the clearance count an astounding 47-16 in a 50-point loss to Fremantle.
“I think they should probably rest him for one more week just in case, personally,” Kingsley joked.
“He’s a super important player, one of the best players in the comp, so he’ll lift their stoppage game which was a bit down against Fremantle.
“That’s an enormous challenge in itself … If Gawn plays, he’s probably winning most of the hitouts so that might adjust our ground-level players mindset a little bit.”
All-Australian defender Sam Taylor has recovered from a groin injury and will return for the Giants while Isaac Cumming has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring strain.
Stephen Coniglio will spend another week on the sidelines with Kingsley opting to give the midfield bull more time to recover from a shoulder injury.
