Revitalised Giants co-captain Stephen Coniglio feels like a “new” footballer after two tumultuous years but is frustrated at the club’s second-straight lethargic start to a season.
A mostly impressive performance against the Swans in round 1 was followed by an underwhelming effort in a six-goal loss to an understrength Richmond on Sunday.
They have lost key defender Phil Davis (hamstring) for up to three months and forward Daniel Lloyd (broken arm) for the next 8-10 weeks, while Jacob Hopper (knee) will miss again.
The positive is Coniglio is showing signs of returning to his best after two seasons of injury and form scrutiny since taking over the captaincy and signing a monster seven-year contract extension.
His shock axing for the must-win game against Melbourne in the penultimate round of the 2020 season was a significant low point.
An ankle syndesmosis injury and a torn medial ligament on the big toe of the same foot – both of which required surgery – then limited him to only seven games in 2021 and left him a shell of his former shelf.
Coniglio, who turned 28 in December, played the final three games of last season, including finals, but admits now he wasn’t anywhere near full fitness.
“I think as a player and captain of the footy club; you try and convince yourself that you’re fine,” he said.
“That was a lot of last year … physically, I could contribute in some way and, for me, that was enough. Of course, I wasn’t feeling at my best but you try and tell your mind otherwise.
“Clearly, I wasn’t, but when you’re watching the boys do what we did the back half of last year and trying to play finals footy, that was all that I really wanted to do.
“If that meant playing different roles – playing up forward, whatever it may be – to contribute, then that’s what I was going to do.”
xjmtzywThe rumblings out of the Giants over summer were that Perth-raised Coniglio, who was in major demand in his free agency year in 2019, had turned the corner.
His pre-season form was promising and he’s backed that up with a combined 43 disposals, nine tackles and three goals across the opening fortnight of the premiership season.
“Being brutally honest, I feel like a new player, in a way,” Coniglio said.
“Obviously, players have come back from lots and lots of injuries before (but) I just felt last year I really needed some time once the season finished to get things right.
“There were times there – and I’m not sure if it was just because of the cold when we were in Melbourne – but it was hard to kick a footy, because it would hurt on my foot and toe.
“But some hard work over the summer has put me in a really good spot now to put my body in a really good forward momentum, and mentally as well. That does a lot for a player as well.
“So, personally, body-wise, I’m feeling great and it’s a nice thing to feel after what I went through last year.”
Greater Western Sydney coaches and players reviewed their performance against the Tigers on Tuesday afternoon, with Coniglio saying they had “let ourselves down, the club and our fans”.
An improved Gold Coast awaits at Giants Stadium on Saturday as the Giants try to win their first match of the season.
“A lot of the young players are another year older and their midfield is a great one,” Coniglio said.
“You look at Matty Rowell and how he’s been able to start the season, and Touk Miller as well.
“We’re very aware of their strengths but we’re very capable, we’ve done the work and we need to be honest with ourselves and how we have performed over the last two weeks and bring it this Saturday.”
