AFL 2024: GWS expects Stephen Coniglio, Kieren Briggs to return

A former GWS captain hopes to snap a frustrating run of shoulder injuries in a clash that will heavily shape the AFL ladder.

Stephen Coniglio will return from a frustrating shoulder injury against Fremantle at Engie Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Important GWS on-ballers Stephen Coniglio and Kieren Briggs will return for a finals-shaping clash against Fremantle after passing fitness tests on Thursday.

The pair have both overcome shoulder issues for the crucial Dockers clash, where a win would leave a top-two finish and home qualifying final on the table for the Giants.

Coach Adam Kingsley said Coniglio was excited to return after only playing in three of the last 12 games due to a persistent injury.

The former captain has been regularly listed as a “test” on the GWS injury list but had his return delayed due to an inability to build strength in his wounded shoulder.

“(Coniglio) has been a little frustrated, but I’m pretty sure he’s excited now. He certainly trained really well, so we’re really looking forward to having him back in,” Kingsley said.

GWS former captain Stephen Coniglio will return against Fremantle on Saturday after being restricted to only 11 games this season by knee and shoulder injuries. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Kingsley said Coniglio had been training with the Giants’ midfield group, and his return for Saturday’s clash at Engie Stadium could impact the main beneficiary of his absence, James Peatling.

The unheralded midfielder, who turns 24 next week, has produced the best month of his career to average 21 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances since round 19.

The GWS Academy product is out of contract at the season’s end and could attract interest from clubs searching for midfield talent, but Kingsley is “confident” he will remain in his home state.

“I am confident, I mean I’m not sure exactly where it sits … (Peatling is a) local Sydney boy, I’m sure that weighs into him,” the coach said.

“We’re pretty keen to retain him, I know that, so that will all work itself out in due course.”

Kingsley gave a wry smile when asked who in-form stopper Toby Bedford would be sent to against Fremantle, saying: “Yeah, Toby will go to one of them.”

Adam Kingsley is ‘confident’ uncontracted 41-game midfielder James Peatling will choose to remain at GWS amid interest from rival clubs. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

He said Lachie Whitfield was a “no-brainer” to earn his second All-Australian blazer after averaging a career-high 31 disposals across halfback this season.

Whitfield faces competition from rival rebounding defenders including the reinvented Dayne Zorko, Bailey Dale, Nick Blakey and Max Holmes.

“I would imagine so, personally I think he’s the best halfback in the league,” Kingsley said.

“So it’s a no-brainer myself, but the right people will make those calls in due course.”

Kingsley acknowledged likely Coleman medallist and All-Australian Jesse Hogan was shouldering a heavy load in attack but said the final-quarter surge against Brisbane where Aaron Cadman booted three goals and Darcy Jones kicked two showed they had more options.

“I think at times we can be (too dependent) on (Hogan). He’s such a pivotal player, he’s in such great form for us that we tend to go to him – he’s the hot hand,” Kingsley said.

“But understanding though, if opposition commit too much to him, then other guys open up and we’ll be able to use them as ammunition towards goal.

“I feel like we’re in a pretty good space ahead of the ball particularly. Jesse’s shouldering a lot of that load, but as we saw in the last quarter last week, we do have a lot of guys who are capable.”