GWS Giants star Stephen Coniglio to take captaincy from veterans Phil Davis and Callan Ward
Stephen Coniglio is excited to become the Giants’ first stand-alone captain, taking over from Phil Davis and Callan Ward. And he revealed the pair chose an unusual moment to pass the baton.
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Stephen Coniglio has a simple answer when asked what kind of captain he wants to be: “A winning one.”
The Giants new skipper, who takes over from long-standing co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward says it is “an honour and a privilege” to take on the role.
Davis and Ward announced at dinner one night on an off-season trip with Coniglio to the US that it was time to hand over to a new man.
“The footy club’s in a brilliant position at the moment,” he said.
“What style of captain (do I want to be)? A winning one, first. Untimely that’s what we’re after here, to win. We want success at this footy cub, not only the AFL by the netball and AFLW as well.”
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A fit and ready to Coniglio doesn’t believe there will be a hangover from last season’s Grand Final defeat.
“The boys have come back in really good spirits. Richmond were just too good on the day. We know we’re building something really special and know the of we keep rocking up we’ll give ourselves the best chance the next time that (Grand Final) happens.”
Outgoing co-captain Phil Davis said: “It's the start of a new era, a changing of the guard.
“Very proud, very humbled to have had the opportunity to lead such a great bunch of people. An amazing club to be a part of.
“I wish Stephen all the best. He’s a terrific person and he’s going to do some great things for us.”
As for Coniglio, what would it mean to be first captain to life a flag for club?
“Can you ask me in September,” he joked. “I think we’re on the verge of some really special things.”
The 25-year-old takes over from defender Davis and midfielder Ward — who had acted as co-captains since the club’s inception in 2012 — and becomes the first stand-alone captain in the Giants’ history.
Coniglio became a Giant for life after signing a new seven-year contract last season, after snubbing lucrative offers from Hawthorn and Carlton. At the time he said he believed the Giants could become the biggest sporting club in Australia.
He missed the Giants’ inaugural Grand Final appearance with a knee injury and was forced to watch on as Richmond thrashed his side by 89 points.
