Skipper Stephen Coniglio still the right man to lead club forward despite being dropped, says coach Leon Cameron
GWS coach Leon Cameron says the commentary surrounding Stephen Coniglio’s omission is nothing more than “headline grabbing” – despite the Giant being the first AFL/VFL captain in 22 years to be dropped.
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GWS Giants coach Leon Cameron has rejected any assertion the club has “humiliated” out of favour Stephen Coniglio and undermined his future as captain.
Cameron declared Coniglio was still the man to lead the Giants forward, although said it was too early to know whether he would return to the line-up for the final round clash against St Kilda, having been stunningly axed last week.
Former AFL coach Ross Lyon, who has long been linked with a speculated move to the Giants, was one prominent personality to dump on the Giants’ controversial decision to drop their captain – a seismic decision that hadn’t happened in the game for 22 years.
Others have even suggested rival clubs will come sniffing for Coniglio at trade time, despite the fact he’s only one year into a seven-season deal.
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Cameron slammed the commentary around Coniglio’s demotion as hysterical and baseless.
“Some of the opinions you’re talking about coming out of Victoria are a bit far-fetched, but I understand people need to grab a headline,” said Cameron, who praised Coniglio for the way he has carried himself and refused to “wallow” in self-pity.
“It’s unfortunate that’s been the case all year, whether it’s us or another footy club – there’s a lot of headline grabs.
“Our relationship is strong. Our coaches, our players’ relationship with Stephen Coniglio is so strong.
“People can dig all they like. The proof will be in the pudding and they’ll see that.”
The Giants are under siege for the first time since their fledgling seasons in the competition, after a shattering fall from grace that will likely see them miss the finals just 12 months after featuring in a grand final.
Barring a miracle sequence of results going their way this weekend, the Giants have butchered a golden opportunity to continue their rise – and there remains lingering uncertainty over the futures of superstars Jeremy Cameron and Zac Williams.
Cameron did not hide his disappointment on Wednesday at defender Aidan Corr, who has informed the club of his intention to seek free agency before the season was even over.
Corr has immediately packed his bags to leave the Queensland hub and return back to Sydney, and the decision was met with disappointment by the playing group.
“I’m not going to lie about it. It’s really disappointing, because we really rate Aidan,” said Cameron.
“But he has that right to exercise and we have to respect that.
“We thought it was probably best if he headed back home to Sydney, while we’re continuing on our journey here.
“The players were disappointed. Timing is everything. Clearly we’re in an interesting set of circumstances. You’re actually living together. That had to be taken into consideration.”
Cameron was recently given the contract extension he was owed by the club for his terrific record prior to this season.
But missing the finals will have him under instant pressure to prove it’s a COVID-19 anomaly next year.
Coniglio is pushing for a return, but not guaranteed.
“No doubt he’ll be considered heavily,” said Cameron.
“He was a bit banged up and the rest will hold him in good stead.
“He’s been terrific. Clearly it was a really hard decision last week, but he’s the first one to put up his hand and say he’s out of form.
“He could have wallowed around in pity and ‘woe is me,’ but one thing I really love about Cogs is his character. That’s why he’s going to be a very, very good captain of our footy club.”
‘LONG WAY BACK’ FOR COGS AFTER SELECTION SNUB
– Jay Clark
Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Cameron is continuing to hold off on signing a new deal as the superstar goal kicker looks to earn back some of the money he lost this year.
The club has long been confident free agent Cameron, 27, wants to stay at the club beyond this season but attempts to agree to terms on a long-term deal have dragged on longer than expected.
Cameron’s manager Alex McDonald has negotiated exclusively with the Giants to this point, but a further delay is certain to heighten Essendon and Geelong’s interest despite his modest form.
Cameron is in danger of becoming the second big name to be dropped for the club’s cutthroat final-round clash against St Kilda on Friday night after snagging one goal against Melbourne and 24 for the season.
Captain Stephen Coniglio was controversially dumped for the loss to Melbourne on Saturday night after a lean year.
Respected former Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said it would have been “humiliating” for Coniglio to be omitted as captain for such a big game.
“You know what you do when you are a leader? You don’t humiliate, and the captain of your club has been humiliated,” Lyon said on Triple M.
“They signed him for seven years, maybe its cultural what’s happening up there.
“I felt I was single-minded. (Nick) Riewoldt and (Matthew) Pavlich (were too) and you drive the group (together because) they are a real extension, captain and coach.
“Once that’s broken it is hard (to mend). It’s a long way back from there, that bridge.
“I’m just saying anyway you cut it, I think he (Coniglio) would be humiliated.”
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Now the spotlight will fall on Cameron who has lost almost $500,000 of his bumper $1.5 million deal due to the COVID-19 pay cuts this season.
Cameron sacrificed cash in previous years to allow the club to pay other big names, knowing he would eventually make it back in 2020.
But the health crisis has taken a huge slice of the superstar’s 2020 pay packet.
To make some of that money back, Cameron has held out on his latest contract in search of better terms.
The Giants are prepared to offer Cameron a healthy deal but not seven figures because of the tight salary cap, with Lachie Whitfield, Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Toby Greene all on big money.
GWS could lose young gun midfielder Jye Caldwell, who is being courted by several clubs including St Kilda for next season.