Stephen Coniglio could ‘do a Cronk’ and pull off grand final miracle, despite injury concerns
Injured GWS Giants superstar Stephen Coniglio is refusing to give up hope on making a stunning comeback, triggering memories of one of the all-time grand final miracles.
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Stephen Coniglio has emerged as the Cooper Cronk miracle-in-waiting for the GWS Giants, but lightning probably won’t strike twice.
GWS players largely seem resigned to Coniglio being no chance for the grand final against Richmond, but captain Phil Davis on Sunday kept the door ajar for a Lazarus-like revival, while also allaying any fears over his own fitness.
Sydney’s NRL grand final was last year dominated by Roosters star Cronk’s remarkable race against time to be fit and deliver premiership glory with one arm.
No one has made a stronger commitment to the Giants in their short history than Coniglio, who recently sacrificed millions of dollars to sign a lifetime deal with GWS at less than market rate.
Coniglio underwent knee surgery in mid-July and was all-but ruled out for the year.
It’s likely that will be the ultimate outcome, but Davis threw a mysterious curveball into the mix as he gave weight to a Coniglio comeback.
“I was speaking to him (on Saturday) and he is still pretty confident,” said Davis.
“He is the vice-captain of the footy club, one of the best players in the competition. If he tells me he’s right to go he’ll be picked.
“I think he’s looking pretty good. I saw him running around last week quite intently and enjoyed what I saw so I think he’s a pretty good chance.
“There’s going to be some tough calls to make and we have full faith in our match committee to make the right ones.”
It’s understood Coniglio could risk further damage by playing which could set him back months and jeopardise his 2020 season.
Despite the commitment he has made to re-signing and the fact he is a foundation player, and the club’s heart and soul, GWS will still prioritise his long-term future.
Davis’ confidence in Coniglio stood in stark contrast to veteran Heath Shaw’s more sombre understanding of the reality for his vice-captain.
“You look across the room and see Cogs, Wardy (Callan Ward) and Brett Deledio and feel for them a bit,” Shaw said of the injured trio.
“As much as you want to celebrate, they’re missing out on something and they were there from the start. I’m very privileged to be able to play next week. They’re definitely close to our hearts and I’m thinking of them.”
Davis struggled with a calf injury for most of the preliminary final against Collingwood and said the issues were more related to tightness in his back.
He was forced to play forward for most of the game, unable to sprint.
However, the AFL’s premier backman declared he will play the grand final and line-up at fullback.
“I’ll be playing down back. I pulled up really well. I’m feeling really good so there shouldn’t be any dramas this weekend,” said Davis.
“It’s more my back. I’ve got a few back issues. Bowled a few too many overs as a young fella playing cricket.
“I just wanted to make sure (in the prelim) that the rest of the team had an opportunity to play to their maximum potential and I just filled whatever void I could.”
Along with Coniglio, influential star Lachie Whitfield was at the Giants’ recovery session at ARU headquarters on Sunday just four days after appendix surgery — and GWS are adamant he will play.