Carlton stalks Stephen Coniglio as Giants told he’s yet to make decision on future

GWS has been told Stephen Coniglio still hasn’t made a decision on where he will play next season as speculation intensifies that the gun midfielder will head south.

Could Stephen Coniglio walk out on the Giants for the Blues? Picture: Getty Images

The Greater Western Sydney board has been assured superstar free agent Stephen Coniglio is yet to decide on his future as he weighs rival offers up to $9 million.

Reports suggest Coniglio, 25, would defect to Carlton.

The Giants held a board meeting in Canberra yesterday and were updated on the Coniglio situation.

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The club and management are adamant he has not made an official decision, despite having the club’s official offer in front of him for several weeks.

A figure close to the negotiations yesterday said the chances of Coniglio staying were “50-50 at best”.

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Could Stephen Coniglio walk out on the Giants for the Blues? Picture: Getty Images

Speaking after his side’s horror loss to Hawthorn, GWS coach Leon Cameron remained hopeful his star would stay but acknoweledged the growing interest given Coniglio was yet to commit.

“I’d love for him to have signed six months ago,” Cameron said.

“I know media speculation has ramped it up over the last 48 hours but I had a really good chat to Stephen two days ago 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.”

Carlton insiders remain extremely bullish about their prospects of securing Coniglio, believing the longer his situation drags on the better their chances to secure the restricted free agent.

The Giants will offer as much as $1 million a season over seven seasons as their best offer, but clubs like Carlton ($1.2-$1.3 million a year) and Hawthorn (as much as $1.1 million a year) will offer more.

Giants chief executive Dave Matthews, when asked on 3AW about the reports Coniglio had already made his decision: “That’s just simply wrong. It’s inaccurate.”

GWS could conceivably lose all three of Coniglio, Adam Tomlinson and Jon Patton (headed to Hawthorn).

But that money would quickly be used to secure 2020 free agents Zac Williams, Lachie Whitfield and Jeremy Cameron.

Zac Williams could be locked down ahead of his contract ending at the end of next season. Picture: Getty Images

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Williams was keen to rebound from his 2018 achilles injury but he is open to contract talks over this summer ahead of his contract expiring in October 2019.

His manager Anthony McConville said yesterday he was open to discussions, with Williams in sparkling form as a rebounding defender and midfielder.

GWS believes he is happy at the club and will eventually re-sign, but smooth mover Whitfield would be a trade target for every rival and Geelong has been linked to Jeremy Cameron.

McConville’s other GWS clients Shane Mumford and Brett Deledio are desperate to play on next year at the Giants.

The Giants have stressed their contracts are not connected to Coniglio’s future despite Deledio joking about the link this week.

Big Shane Mumford’s form has been good enough to go round for another season. Picture: AAP

Mumford’s form is clearly strong enough to play on and he is keen to go around again, with his body the only concern.

Deledio has played 10 highly encouraging games since Round 9 and is determined to play on after showing his durability after a litany of calf and hamstring issues.

Discussions with both those players will take place at year’s end.

Heath Shaw has been in exceptional form this year and in the past three weeks in particular.

The only question for the club is whether a player who turns 34 in November has another full year in him or whether he is holding a youngster back but his case for one more year is strong.