GWS Giants pre-season news: Harvey Thomas in contention for round 0 debut, Stephen Coniglio’s career-best form

One of the last players taken in the 2023 draft has rocketed into contention for a shock AFL debut in round 0 — LACHLAN MCKIRDY has more mail out of GWS Giants.

Lachlan McKirdy

@LMcKirdy7

3 min read

February 27, 2024 - 3:37PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Stephen Coniglio during the GWS Giants training session on February 27, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – Phil Hillyard / Venues NSW – **NO ON SALES** – Â©Phil Hillyard )

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Giants vice-captain Stephen Coniglio believes he is playing the best football of his career under Adam Kingsley as his side finalises its preparation for the 2024 AFL season.

Coniglio returned to form in sparkling fashion last year, posting some of his best numbers across his 12 seasons in the AFL system. He averaged more than 28 disposals and five clearances as the experience in the Giants midfield shone through in their run to the preliminary final.

However, Coniglio credits the feeling that Kingsley has created around the club for ensuring players believe they can contribute without having to look at statistics.

“I think [2023 was] the best in terms of being able to contribute towards the group,” Coniglio said.

“In previous years, I may have had statistically better [seasons], but in terms of output for the team, I’m in the zone at the moment.

“I’m yet to achieve the ultimate success, and I think if I’m being honest, a lot of my early career was around results and winning. What Adam Kingsley has brought in is to try and fall in love with the process.

“The first half of last year, we were losing but we were doing a lot of the right things. His constant messaging was around working on that process and it’ll happen.

“At 29, about to turn 30, it was the one year out of my whole career where I’ve learned the most.”

Coniglio feels his best footy is ahead of him after feeling revitalised under Adam Kingsley. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Giants will have their final hit out before the season commences against Gold Coast on Thursday. While there were plenty of positive signs in the practice match loss to the Swans last week, Coniglio is hopeful that they can be more clinical with their ball use.

It’s a shorter lead into the season than usual with no week off before the opening round, but the Giants are confident that they can turn that quicker turnaround into positive momentum.

“The Swans were sharp, I think we were pretty sluggish early on in the game,” Coniglio said. “This week, not only training but the game against Gold Coast, we will be sharpening a few things ahead of opening round.

“I know for me, practice games are always harder. It’s a mental challenge sometimes. You want to be ready for the start of the season.

“But for us to be able to continue with momentum, you don’t need a week off. To be able to play two games and go straight into the opening round is perfect preparation.”

Harvey Thomas impressed for the Giants in their first practice match against the Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Several injury clouds are hanging over the Giants with Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman out of the clash with Collingwood, while young midfielder Finn Callaghan is racing the clock to be fit.

It means there are many spots up for grabs in their best 23 and Coniglio has been impressed with how his teammates are pushing hard to make the most of that opportunity.

Although some of the names that could come into contention have played in the AFL before, young draftee Harvey Thomas, who was taken at pick 59 last year, has stood out to Coniglio and is making a late charge for a stunning debut.

“If you look at Jacob Wehr, Ryan Angwin, guys that we’ve seen feature before that have played AFL at a really good standard, they’re putting their hands up,” Coniglio said.

“Forward of the ball, there are definitely some options [like] Darcy Jones. But those guys are only probably short-term injuries and we’ll have them back soon.

“The competition [in the squad] and the guys are a year older … they don’t just want to play VFL all the time. That’s healthy competition we’re starting to see in the group.

“At the end of the [Swans practice] game, I spoke to [Harvey] and said, ‘You can play at this level and you’ve shown that.

“Obviously it wasn’t an AFL game but he’s shown enough and he’s only gonna get better for this season and beyond. But yeah, expect a lot of games from him in this Giants top.”