AFL: Stephen Coniglio signs new $7m deal to stay at GWS
His playing future has been the subject of intense speculation, but Giants star Stephen Coniglio has put the conjecture to rest.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sydney sport has a new $7 million superstar, with Stephen Coniglio deciding to commit his career to the GWS Giants.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the free-agent midfielder has officially knocked back bigger offers from Melbourne clubs to sign a landmark seven-year deal at the Giants, which is the longest in the history of the expansion club.
Coniglio had commanded offers worth an eye-watering $1.3 million a season from the likes of Carlton, so his decision to stay and take at least a $300,000 haircut per season is a significant sacrifice - even considering the security.
Lance Franklin became the king of Sydney in 2014 with his nine-year, $10 million contract, but the Harbour City now has a new challenger to the throne.
Stream every match of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >
As recently as the past week, reports out of Victoria have speculated Coniglio was on the verge of signing with Hawthorn or Carlton.
But it’s believed the culture, direction and leadership at GWS has played a pivotal role in Coniglio’s decision to stay.
Elevation to the club captaincy is not part of the deal, but that will happen at some point.
The announcement follows the Giants’ re-signing of superstar midfielder Josh Kelly in April this year.
Sydney’s million-dollar sports stars
Steve Smith (cricket) $2.8 mmillion
Pat Cummins (cricket) $2.8 million
Dave Warner (cricket) $2.7 million
Lance Franklin (AFL) $1.3 million
Daly Cherry-Evans (NRL) $1.3 million
Cooper Cronk (NRL) $1.05 million
Stephen Coniglio (AFL) $1 million
Jeremy Cameron (AFL) $1 million
Josh Kelly (AFL) $1 million
Sam Burgess (NRL) $1 million
Kieran Foran (NRL) $1 million
James Tedesco (NRL) $1 million
Ben Hunt (NRL) $1 million
Andrew Bogut (NRL) $1 million
Kelly signed a unique two-year deal with options to bump him up to 10 years, but Coniglio’s is a straight seven-year commitment.
To keep prying Victorian hands off both Coniglio and Kelly is a monumental milestone in the young history of the club.
Doomsday predictions already had GWS going down the sink hole with Gold Coast if the franchise stars had walked.
But the premiership window looks set to stay open at GWS for some time yet, and Coniglio’s decision will act as a massive incentive for the likes of Jeremy Cameron and Lachie Whitfield to also commit long-term.
The threat on Coniglio was real, and astronomical figures were being bandied around by the Hawks and Carlton.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson recently confirmed he had spoken to Coniglio.
Coniglio’s housemate in Sydney, Jon Patton, is expected to move to the Hawks next year, and Coniglio’s good mate Jaeger O’Meara is also at the Hawks.
But it was the Giants who won out.
They have maintained a confidence this year Coniglio would re-sign with the club, but the delay in time sparked mass speculation.
“I’d love for him to have signed six months ago,” coach Leon Cameron said recently.
“I know media speculation have ramped it up ... but I had a really good chat to Stephen and from my points of view, unless I’m blinded, I don’t see anything different.
“Would I like him to sign right now? Absolutely. I think the club is handling it as well as we possibly can under the circumstances.”
His re-signing would please AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.
McLachlan recently said he hoped Coniglio would stay at the Giants, which drew criticism.
Coniglio was averaging 28.5 disposals, 10.4 contested possessions, 5.3 clearances and had kicked 15 goals from 14 games before he was injured this year.
He is a possibility to play in the Giants’ elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, as he works overtime to rehabilitate a knee injury suffered several weeks ago.
Coniglio has been diligently advancing his comeback as he wrestled with the biggest decision of his AFL career, and getting him back would provide an enormous boost to the Giants’ finals prospects.
But even if he doesn’t play another game this year, the impact of his decision cannot be underestimated.
GWS would deny they’ve been distracted, but now the saga is over, the club can breathe just that little bit easier.
It’s understood Coniglio told teammates late yesterday of his decision.