GWS Giants track watch: Stephen Coniglio injury update as young players steal the show
Stephen Coniglio faced one of the “most difficult periods” of his career after injuring his shoulder last year, but is on track for round 1. Plus, see the latest from the GWS match simulation.
Giants vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is confident he will be fit for the club’s opening-round clash against Collingwood after overcoming one of the “most difficult periods” of his career.
Coniglio was subbed out of the Giants’ semi-final defeat against the Lions following a heavy collision with teammate Aaron Cadman and Brisbane’s Harris Andrews.
The incident left him with nearly half a dozen facial fractures but the midfielder had to wait for more than a week to have surgery as the swelling went down.
A few weeks later, the 31-year-old then underwent a shoulder reconstruction to deal with issues that plagued him throughout 2024 as he only played 15 matches.
It has put the inaugural Giant on the back foot in his bid to play against the Pies on March 9. He remains in the club’s rehab group having only returned to running in December and was one of a handful of players who didn’t play in Monday’s intra-club match simulation.
However, Coniglio believes his recovery is tracking well and should put him in a position to line up for the Giants’ opening game of the year.
“I definitely hope so,” Coniglio said. “It’s for me more likely yes than no.
“I’m 31 now and when I look over my career, it’s easily one of the most difficult periods. I’m very blessed with my wife and two daughters but also for the club in general and the support they’ve been able to provide me.
“I had a couple of weeks off for (the facial surgery) and then got my shoulder done as well so it’s a lot of time in hospitals and icing my face and shoulder. But as I said, I’m fine, feeling much better probably since you know the turn of Christmas.”
The Giants aren’t lacking motivation for this season after throwing away two big leads in last year’s finals campaign to be bundled out in straight sets. However, Coniglio believes that fire burns even brighter for the club’s core group of veteran players who have been at GWS for over a decade.
With momentum continuing to build around Aussie rules in Western Sydney — including the Giants passing 25,000 members in a season for the quickest time in their history — Coniglio believes they can even draw inspiration from rival codes about how quickly on-field success can arrive.
“For myself, you look around guys like Josh Kelly, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield, Toby Greene, we’ve been so close so many times now,” Coniglio said.
“To lose in the manner that we did was extremely disappointing. It’s never something you completely get over but we’re at an age and maturity where we’re not just trying to make amends for that. We’re actually trying to continue on our journey.
“I don’t even watch rugby league, but I look at Penrith and I think that they’re in Western Sydney. The run they’ve gone on and the dynasty they’ve gone on, I think why can’t we do that?
“That’s why guys like Callan Ward haven’t retired yet, they still have that hunger and that belief that we can still do something really special. I feel we have the staff and the players to be able to do that.”
GREENE, STRINGER STAR ON GIANTS TRACK
GWS Giants captain Toby Greene and new recruit Jake Stringer were among the notable goalscorers in the club’s first match simulation of the year, but several young players stole the show in their first pre-season hitout.
With multiple positions up for grabs after a slew of off-season departures, some fresh faces seriously impressed in the heat at Giants HQ on Monday morning.
Adam Kingsley and his coaching staff completely mixed the two sides with an even spread of talent across the two teams that contested two approximately 20-minute halves.
Four main Giants – Stephen Coniglio, Kieren Briggs, Toby Bedford and Finn Callaghan – weren’t involved in the match as they carefully managed their pre-season preparations.
The first centre bounce of the day threw up one noteworthy position change. James Leake, the first-round draft pick from 2023, was in attendance and matched up on Tom Green. After playing predominantly out of defence in the back end of the VFL season, it’s a sign of the added responsibility the teenager is set to be given.
Leake was alongside Harry Rowston, Josh Kelly and Nic Madden for one side, while Green, Xavier O’Halloran, Toby McMullin and Lachie Keeffe were on the other side.
In the forward line, Greene and Stringer were paired up together along with Jake Riccardi and Harvey Thomas. Down the other end of the field, the electric combination of Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman, Darcy Jones and Brent Daniels looked to create havoc.
VETERANS LEAD THE WAY
Stringer was one of the first players to have a real impact on the match, generating some nice movement to get on the end of a pass from Riccardi to mark in the left pocket. The former Bomber snapped well to kick the first goal of the simulation, a moment that wasn’t lost on his teammates.
Stringer and Greene worked well in tandem, moving into space and creating separation for each other where possible. Riccardi was also then able to fill in those pockets and take some strong marks.
While Stringer didn’t have as much of an impact for the rest of the match, Greene also got in on the act to kick two goals after taking some contested marks directly in front of goal.
Hogan also had one nice conversion down the other end, with the Coleman Medallist an imposing figure and dominating in his match-up on Jack Buckley.
SPEED AND PRESSURE
The orange tsunami was alive and well in the Giants’ first match simulation as Adam Kingsley’s smalls put on a clinic when it came to their forward pressure.
Jones yet again led the way, creating some turnovers on the back of his awareness and ability to close down space, while Thomas got on the scoreboard after earning a holding-the-ball decision in the forward 50.
However, one name who really impressed in this regard was Western Australian youngster, Cody Angove. Playing predominantly on the wing, Angove wasn’t afraid to get forward and ensured the defence had no time to easily get the ball out of their half.
The 24th pick in last year’s draft will be one to watch as the club looks to replace Isaac Cumming on the wing, and he isn’t lacking confidence either. Running through on goal in the second half, despite having a wide-open Hogan alongside him, the teenager was happy to take the shot on himself.
YOUNG GUNS
Cumming isn’t the only player that needs replacing following Harry Perryman and James Peatling’s departure. And there was a consensus pick on the sidelines of which player was the most impressive on Monday morning.
Harry Rowston was a clearance machine out of the midfield, while also displaying some fantastic ball use further up the field. His ability to find the ball cleanly out of the contest is what set him apart, adding a goal and several big tackles to his game also.
Toby McMullin was another around the midfield that looks to have taken a big step up this pre-season. Sporting a fresh buzz cut, the third-year has eyed off a midfield spot and he’ll be strongly contesting with the likes of Xavier O’Halloran to make it his own.
Thomas was another who looked spritely in his new No. 1 guernsey, darting around the forward line and looking to impact the play wherever possible. Stringer’s arrival may impact his playing time in 2025, but he’s not wanting to leave any stone unturned.
Phoenix Gothard received a big wrap from his coach last week and playing off the wing and along half-forward, the teenager put together a good body of work across the ground. Showcased good decision making and a strong turn of pace.
Joe Fonti was the other youngster who caught the eye, with his dash off halfback and some fantastic field kicking setting up some counterattacking opportunities for his teammates.
THREE PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
BRENT DANIELS
Coming off a career-best year which included a place in the 44-man All-Australian squad, Daniels looked even quicker around the stoppages and a step ahead of his teammates. His ability to be in the right place whenever the ball hits the ground is such an advantage in what is going to be an incredibly dangerous forward line.
JAMES LEAKE
There have been big wraps on James Leake for the past six months, however, the fact he was played through the midfield is a fantastic sign for his development. He combined really nicely with Rowston and Kelly, used the ball well and importantly was a nuisance for Green who didn’t get free for much of the simulation. The Tasmanian’s stocks continue to rise.
JOSAIA DELANA
The rookie listed local product is making the most of every opportunity and had the highlight moment of the match simulation. Running towards his forward 50, Delana sold some candy, took a bounce and then converted beautifully from about 35 metres out. His family happened to be in attendance for the match, and he made sure to treat them with a celebration in the pocket which we might eventually see at AFL level.
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