Stephen Coniglio out of GWS’s clash with Gold Coast, Sydney make three changes for Pride Cup

THE Giants have lost Stephen Coniglio for Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast after the midfield star failed to recover from a concussion while Sydney has made three changes for the Pride Cup.

Stephen Coniglio in action for GWS.

THE Giants have lost Stephen Coniglio for Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium after the midfield star failed to recover from a concussion he picked up in the history-making win over the Crows in Adelaide.

The six-day break between games certainly made Coniglio’s task a lot harder. His spot in the team will be taken by fellow West Australian Matt de Boer who has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury.

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“It’s unfortunate to lose Steve but he just didn’t pass the concussion protocols,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said.

“But we’re rapt to have Matt back. He’s had a thorough rehab, we’ve given him an extra week so he’s been training well. He’s in the leadership group and has had a good front end of the year, so we expect him to come in and take up where he left off.”

Giant Stephen Coniglio. Picture: Sarah Reed

Giant Matt de Boer. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Cameron said he and his players will be expecting a response from the Suns after their disappointing 85-point loss to Geelong in their first home game for the year at Metricon Stadium.

“The hard thing with footy at the moment is that every club has its ups and downs, some longer than others,” Cameron said.

“There’s no doubt that Gold Coast would have been disappointed with what happened last weekend, but we’ve got to control what we can control and that is preparing for a ruthless outfit coming our way.

“Equally we need to make sure we’re as hard as we’ve ever been on the footy and as hard as ever on the man with the footy this week, because if we’re not then you get mixed results.”

Kieren Jack celebrates a goal.

At the Swans John Longmire made three changes to the team which beat Carlton dropping Ryley Stoddart and Nic Newman and resting Kieren Jack.

Tom McCartin, Tom Papley and Dan Robinson come into the team that takes on St Kilda for the Pride Cup at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The Pride Cup promotes LGBTIQ+ inclusion and acceptance in community sporting clubs across the country. The aim is to make sure that no player, official or fan has to choose between being themselves or the game that they love.

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