Adam Kingsley has spoken for the first time since being installed as Greater Western Sydney’s next full-time coach.
Kingsley’s appointment was announced on Monday evening, and on Tuesday afternoon he addressed the media.
The 47-year-old remains an assistant coach at Richmond where he’ll look to win a third premiership in his time at the club, and he said his full focus still remains with the Tigers.
Richmond plays Brisbane on Thursday week to open the finals series.
However, a complicating factor centres around Giants midfielder Tim Taranto.
The 24-year-old hasn’t yet signed a new deal for the Giants and is reported to have serious interest from both Richmond or Collingwood ahead of the upcoming trade period.
Given Kingsley now has a foot in both camps, he addressed the conundrum on Tuesday.
“To be fair, I’ve just been appointed, I haven’t yet sat down with Jason McCartney (Giants football manager) and worked through what the list looks like,” he told reporters.
“He’ll be fully across what his expectations are, at some point in time we’ll have that discussion and try and work out where we both stand on it and what the plan is moving forward.”
When asked if he’ll have conversations with Giants players given at least four are linked with a move away from the club, Kingsley reaffirmed his commitment to Richmond.
“Once Jason and I have our discussions and put our heads together, we’ll formulate a plan that certainly assists the Giants but doesn’t compromise Richmond in the short term,” he replied.
“As I’ve said, that’s where my focus lies, at Richmond. But that's not to say I won’t have some discussions with some key people at the club (GWS).”
SEN Chief Reporter Sam Edmund reported on Tuesday Taranto will make a decision by the end of the week and had been “determined” to meet the club’s new coach.
Edmund also suggested Taranto was the player the Giants most wanted to keep among several on the outer.
While some could see Kingsley’s position as one with divided loyalties, that’s not how Dwayne Russell views the situation.
He believes Kingsley’s role as an assistant will have had little overlap with list management and therefore no conflict.
“As an assistant coach at the Tigers, he wouldn’t be part of the player retention and player recruitment side of the Richmond Football Club anyway,” Russell said.
“I’m not sure they would have any list management meetings that involve any assistant coaches the way I see it, so I don’t think there’s a conflict there.”
Taranto, who was taken with the second pick of the 2016 National Draft, averaged 25.5 disposals, 3.9 inside 50s and 3.8 marks per game in 2022.
Kingsley has signed a three-year deal to become the third full-time coach of the club.