St Kilda legend and former spearhead Nick Riewoldt has heaped praise on incoming GWS coach Adam Kingsley, following his appointment on Monday.

Despite being publicly in the race for the Giants' coaching position, the announcement came as a surprise to the footballing world who were under the impression that the search was ongoing.

Speaking onย Fox Footy, Nick Riewoldt said that he learned the most from Kingsley during his time as an assistant at the Saints than any other coach.

Kinglsey joined the Saints as an assistant in 2010 after previously being an assistant at Port Adelaide, where he played 170 games between 1997 and 2006, winning the best and fairest and a premiership in that time.

At the point of Kingsley's appointment at the Saints, Riewoldt had kicked 467 of his 716 career goals but the former captain said that Kingsley's ability to see the game is one of his biggest strengths and is delighted by his appointment at the Giants.

"When I heard the news I couldn't wipe the smile off my face," Riewoldt said.

"I'm genuinely so happy for Adam, he has done the most remarkable apprenticeship.

"He arrived at St Kilda at a time when as a player and a group, (we) needed fresh minds, fresh voices.

"He taught me more about forward play and forward craft than any other coach I'd had at any stage.

"For a guy that played back pocket and midfield predominantly, I think that says a lot about his ability to see all parts of the game.

"Great communicator, great motivator will be able to challenge strongly and understand what it takes to bring a great team together."

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Collingwood coach Craig McRae was also full of support for Kingsley, someone he had coached alongside at Richmond before McRae joined Hawthorn in 2021.

McCrae has faced a similar path to Kingsley to the top, with both starting their coaching careers in 2007.

"I'm rapt for 'Kingers'...he's had a long apprenticeship, similar to myself, I think 15-odd years in the system," McRae told Fox Sports.

"I worked with him for three or fours years at Richmond, he's gonna be a huge asset for GWS.

"He's got a huge footy, enormous footy brain and he's a strong leader."

Prior to his appointment at GWS, Kingsley joined Richmond ahead of the 2019 season where he was a part of two premiership-winning sides, remaining as an assistant for this year.