Jimmy Bartel rates Stephen Coniglio an ‘eight out of 10’ chance of staying at GWS

GWS expects Stephen Coniglio to reject the advances of Victorian clubs with board member Jimmy Bartel rating the chances of the star midfielder staying at the Giants.

Stephen Coniglio gives teammate Jacob Hopper a hug after the Giants beat the Swans. Picture: Getty Images

GWS board member Jimmy Bartel believes star free agent Stephen Coniglio will remain at the club and become the Giants’ next captain.

It comes as the Geelong legend posed the question of whether Sydney should again be handed a cost of living allowance as they rebuild in coming years.

Coniglio said he had no timeline on a decision on his contract after another spectacular four-goal midfield display despite a dislocated finger.

Josh Kelly is set to stay on a two-year deal with a multi-year clause and Bartel is similarly confident the club will secure Coniglio.

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The new Giants board member said he often spoke to players about all aspects of their lives and rated Coniglio an “eight out of 10” chance to remain.

“I am confident. I can’t see why he would leave. He is in a great position with where he is at,” he told 3AW radio.

“He is probably the future leader of the GWS Giants. He is in a good role. Sometimes where you are at is a pretty darn good place to be.

“He will be well paid by the Giants and hopefully have a lot of success along the way.

“They are fair questions. He is the most wanted out-of-contract player. I understand that. I am privy to some information. Out of a confidence scale out of 10, let’s say an eight.”

GWS board member Jimmy Bartel is confident Stephen Coniglio will re-sign with the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

Bartel said he was “very, very, very, very confident” on Kelly’s future.

Meanwhile Bartel said after a crowd of only 29,780 at the Sydney-GWS clash he wondered how the Swans would hold up when Lance Franklin retired.

“I walked away from the ground and there were only 28,000 last night. Buddy was a late out but there were murmurs around.

“You do worry in a couple of years time when there is no Buddy and the Swans might not going well, would they have to address the COLA allowance again to draw a big name superstar?

“In Sydney they are attracted to the superstar and not so much the team. We will always have Collingwood fans and Richmond fans and superstars will come through the door but you just have some concerns.

“Last night that was a big blockbuster game and in a good timeslot on Saturday night and they got 28,000 (sic).”