GWS utility Harry Himmelberg says he is solely focused on his football amid strong rival interest from a host of clubs, including cross-town rivals Sydney.
The Swans’ enthusiasm for the restricted free agent is likely to add extra heat to the Battle of the Bridge on Saturday, with both teams desperately hunting a victory to stay within touch of the top eight.
Himmelberg says he has put manager David Trotter “on mute” as he puts a decision on his future on hold until later in the season.
The 26-year-old, who is an attractive proposition for clubs, due to his ability to perform strongly as a third tall forward or intercept defender, said last week he was inclined to remain a Giant beyond this season, but that he may be able to choose between several tempting offers in a few months’ time.
“I’d like to focus on footy at this time of year, so (Trotter) has been really good with that. He fills me in every now and then with the latest, but we haven’t been catching up a whole lot,” Himmelberg said.
“I want to get some good footy under my belt this year and then we can visit that sort of stuff.
“It’s an energy draining practice if you’re going through all that stuff at this time of year, especially.”
Himmelberg said he would not be drawn into any hype around his talent as he tries to perform consistently for the Giants.
“I think it’s a slippery slope if you start worrying about that … my focus is solely on helping the Giants win games. That’s my job,” he said.
“I pay a manager so that he can look after all that other stuff.”
Himmelberg said the rivalry with the Swans was no beat-up, claiming their battles have been among the most intense games he has played in.
“It does go up a notch; it feels like a finals game every time we play them,” he said.
He said the Giants would not be underestimating a Swans outfit attempting to rebound from a humiliating 93-point defeat to Geelong.
“Good teams are good teams; you can’t really go off an outlier, which it probably was last weekend for them,” he said.
‘If you come out thinking that they’re going to play like that again, you’d be silly, so I think we’ll take them on face value and they’re a bloody good team … we’re preparing for their best.”
Two midfielders on the verge of taking the AFL by storm will come face to face in the Sydney derby, with Tom Green and Chad Warner both making impressive starts to their fourth seasons.
Green will return for the Giants after missing the loss to Brisbane through suspension and said he relished the challenge of facing the Swans’ midfield, including the dynamic Warner.
Taken in the same draft, the two young guns are both already fan favourites, but Green said their similarities as players did not go further than their curly hair.
“(Warner) is just so explosive; I wish I had his explosion away from the contest. He has quick feet and he’s so damaging getting the ball going forward, his impact per possession is often really, really impressive,” he said.
Green, who takes on more of an inside role than Warner, with his powerful 192cm-tall frame, said he was disappointed to miss last week’s game in his native Canberra, but has another outing at Manuka Oval to look forward to in round 8 after trying to bulldoze the Swans’ midfield.
“That’s the way I’m looking at it, as a bit of a freshener. I’m just excited to get back out there,” he said.
The 22-year-old is excited to be joined in the team by former Demon Toby Bedford, who will make his club debut after overcoming a serious hamstring injury.
“He’s such a valuable addition in terms of his speed and the attributes he brings to the team; pressure is what he bases his game on,” Green said.
“He’s become a really great mate of mine and I’m really excited to run out alongside him for the first time. I can’t wait to see how he’s going to contribute for us.”
