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GIANTS WELCOME Rugby League Stars.

The GIANTS welcomed the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to the VAILO Community Centre in Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday, putting some familiar faces in strange territory.

As part of a strong partnership formed last year through the friendship of GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley and Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, the two football codes collided in a rare opportunity for the Bulldogs to train like GIANTS for an afternoon.

GIANTS Assistant Coach Ben Hart stated that the session was part of an ongoing collaboration aimed at improving both organizations in whatever way feasible.

“They sent about 18 to 20 of their players out, mainly the kickers and what they call their catchers, to see if we could cross-pollinate if you like, with regards to some skills and drills and information about how they can improve and hopefully it can transfer to their game,” he went on to say.

“We conducted some marking drills, as well as drills on their foot movement, reading the flight of the ball, and finishing that play.

“Then we had [fellow GIANTS Assistant Coach] Jeremy Laidler and [VFL Head Coach/AFL Development Coach] Wayne Cripps do some kicking to get them acclimated to kicking the ball differently.

“They enjoy playing with our football as much as we do with theirs, and it was very helpful for both of us, as well as a nice method to maintain the continuous friendship.

While Tuesday’s practice was primarily aimed at assisting the Bulldogs, Hart stated that the GIANTS see any encounter between the clubs as an opportunity to develop.

“You go there looking for little pieces of advice or drills or the way they coach, as much as what we give them, just to make us better and to make our program better,” the coach added.

“Hopefully we added something to them as well, but the more we can cross-pollinate and use it for ‘PD’ [personal development] for ourselves, as much as their coaches, it’s a great relationship for us.”

Hart stated that the GIANTS might improve on one specific skill thanks to the Bulldogs.

“It’s [about improvement] across the whole footy program, but definitely their tackling,” that’s what he said.

“Obviously, it’s a different style of tackle, but some of the strategies they do are very advantageous to us.

“Their communication, I believe, is really strong across the board as a team [as well], so if we can learn from that, that’s fantastic for us.”

“If they’ve got things we can take from them we’ll certainly use them.”

After returning to training on January 8, the GIANTS will begin their annual pre-season training camp next week in preparation for their Community Series game against the Gold Coast Suns in Canberra on Thursday, February 29.