GWS coach Adam Kingsley says the humid Sydney weather expected again on Saturday night is certain to give his side an edge over Collingwood in the rematch of last year’s preliminary final.

Slippery conditions created by the humidity had a marked impact on play in Thursday’s season opener between Sydney and Melbourne, with the same surface moisture anticipated across town when the Giants face the reigning premiers.

Kingsley said his side felt “very comfortable” in the conditions as he told his players to embrace the emotion of the one-point preliminary final defeat – to an extent.

The second-year coach said the Giants were wary of getting caught up in their blistering second half of last season and had to keep improving as he tipped 2022 No.1 pick Aaron Cadman to help push the side forward.

“Aaron’s looking great – he’s in fantastic shape, he’s launching at the ball really well and you kind of know when a key forward’s launching, they feel pretty confident,” Kingsley told reporters on Friday.

“Him and Ricca (Jake Riccardi) will alternate ruck work – I think over the previous two practice matches we’ve had they’ve done that and done quite a good job.

“Hopefully, he can take a couple of grabs (on Saturday) and finish his work with a couple of goals.”

Kingsley said the slippery conditions expected at the renamed Engie Stadium would favour his side, which was used to training in high humidity.

“It was noticeably quite slippery, the ball was on the ground a lot – we took a bit out of that, we’ll expect the same thing on Saturday night, so I think we’ll be well prepared for that,” he said.

“It certainly is (an advantage) – it’s obviously very humid up here through the year … we feel pretty comfortable, it won’t be anything near like (the 36C day for) round 1 last year, so that’s pretty pleasing for our boys.”

Kingsley said the key off-season focus at the Giants had been where they could add improvements to his system that took the competition by storm once his players had adjusted to the change midway through last season.

“I think we need to keep moving forward and keep adding pieces to our game to try and improve,” he said.

“We’re really mindful of that as a coaching group and a playing group.”

Kingsley said the high impact he had coaching from the bench had been one of his most important discoveries last season as he committed to doing the same again to begin 2024.

He praised Opening Round debutant Harvey Thomas for how quickly he had learnt from the coaching staff as the academy product prepared to become the highest GWS draft pick to make an immediate senior debut.

“I thought he was with the little league when he first rocked up, but he attacked the pre-season from day one with great energy,” Kingsley said of the 177cm left-footer, who will play across half-forward.

“He played VFL for us last year, so he had a really good understanding of our system and our structure.

“I think his ability to pick the game style up, to pick the way we want him playing his role up, he’s a super smart guy, he’s got great energy around the group, and I think our guys are really excited that he was named for his first game.”

Kingsley said Giants skipper Toby Greene had adjusted well to parenthood and was continuing to energise his teammates.

“He’s got a few bags under the eyes – what a great story for him, for (his partner) Georgia – they’ll be great parents and I’m sure Isla will grow up to be a wonderful young girl,” he said.

“They’ve started off really well. Toby is often telling the boys how great it is and doting on his daughter already, so it’s wonderful news for our club.”