AFL 2023: GWS Giants set to field strongest side of year in semi-final against Port Adelaide

Stephen Coniglio will return to face Port Adelaide, leaving GWS coach Adam Kingsley with an almost totally healthy list and one key selection dilemma.

Adam Kingsley says a clean bill of health has his Giants side primed for another finals upset against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

Port is facing several key selection decisions, with the likes of Trent McKenzie and Charlie Dixon racing the clock to be named for the semi-final.

However, the Giants have the luxury of welcoming back former skipper Stephen Coniglio for the clash and building on the momentum from their elimination final win over St Kilda.

“I’d rather be in our position in terms of not having to worry about players positionally,” Kingsley said.

“It won’t really change what we do. Match-up wise it makes it a little bit more difficult to prepare and a bit more unpredictable until the moment before the game.

“Their structure is relatively predictable and it’s talls in front of the ball and smalls … it’s not worth us worrying about too much.

“We’re really healthy, as healthy as we’ve been all year. It enables you to put as close to your best team as you possibly can out on the park.”

Stephen Coniglio was back training at 100 per cent on Thursday. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Kingsley joked that Coniglio could be kept in a bit of cotton wool at training after his freak eye injury last week – “He might wear some glasses and a helmet.”

The main selection decision for the Giants is set to be which of Xavier O’Halloran or Nick Haynes comes out of the side to take on Port Adelaide.

Haynes’ added flexibility as the sub means he is likely to win the battle.

“That’s (the decision) it was last week, so it lends itself to looking more like that than not,” Kingsley said. “But we’ll get through training and make sure everyone’s ticked off.

“I think (Haynes) is really flexible. He plays on the wing and can play key back and small back for us. His versatility is really important … I don’t think you get a better, more reliable back-up than what Nick Haynes is.”

Nick Haynes has had a big impact late in games as the sub this year. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Giants will head to Adelaide on Friday hoping to quickly brush aside the demons of their round 21 loss to the Power.

The 51-point defeat was an aberration in their run to the finals, but Kingsley is confident they’ve learned from what went wrong that afternoon.

“I had to watch it again, unfortunately,” Kingsley said. “It wasn’t a great watch.

“We had quite a few lessons come out of there. Their intensity was far greater than ours … and then there were a couple of system things that they did that we didn’t cope with well.

“They dominated the game last time, all their midfield. If we don’t take care of their midfield, then it’s unlikely the result will go our way.”

The Giants were off their game the last time they travelled to Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Kingsley was coy on whether the Giants would set strict plans for the likes of Connor Rozee or Zak Butters around stoppages.

However, he was adamant that his side will be a different proposition with Toby Bedford and Brent Daniels in their 22 this time around.

The duo’s pressure was immense against St Kilda last weekend, and they know no other way than to play at full throttle.

“I think that changes our side significantly,” Kingsley said. “That speed in the front half for us is really important.

“We didn’t have those two last time and I think we suffered as a result. So, it will be interesting to see how much impact those two can have.”