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'He is that good': AFL great flags $1.5m contract for GWS star

AFL great Nick Dal Santo says Stephen Coniglio is so good he can demand as much as $1.5 million per year as a free agent.

The GWS star was one of his side’s best in the 72-point win over Essendon on Sunday, kicking three goals and adding two goal assists to go with his 31 disposals.

Coniglio didn’t stop there, however, laying seven tackles in a game that looked over at half-time.

While there is a full season to go and the vice-captain is surely committed to the Giants, the 25-year-old has been linked with Hawthorn since late last year.

Carlton, still waiting to rise up the ladder, have also been mentioned as a potential destination.

With a bidding war firming, former St Kilda star Dal Santo says Coniglio deserves the biggest offers tabled since free agency was introduced.

“He is the best two-way midfielder in the competition,” Dal Santo told SEN radio.

“If he is to leave the Giants, and I’m not saying that he will, he deserves the most money of any free agent moving clubs.”

Stephen Coniglio starred against Essendon, whose new recruit Dylan Shiel failed to make an impact against his former Giants teammates. Pic: Getty
Stephen Coniglio starred against Essendon, whose new recruit Dylan Shiel failed to make an impact against his former Giants teammates. Pic: Getty

Coniglio’s former teammate Dylan Shiel left GWS to join Essendon at the end of last year – but not before he was reportedly offered $8m over six years by St Kilda.

Having watched Shiel have little impact in the Bombers’ loss against his old teammates, Dal Santo said the proof was in the pudding.

“If the records are correct on Dylan Shiel last year going to the Saints for $1.3 or $1.4 million, (Coniglio) needs a couple of extra dollars,” Dal Santo said.

“He is that good and that consistent and you know exactly from what you’re going to get every time he walks out (on the field).”

GWS coach Leon Cameron said after the win that negotiations were tracking “pretty good – well, not pretty good, they’re really good, actually”.

The player himself said he wants to ‘cash in’ not with a contract but on the field after a big pre-season.

“Josh (Kelly) went through (free agency) a couple of years ago,” Coniglio said.

“I’m at that stage in my career now where I really need to cash in on two pre-seasons in a row. I had a strong season last year, Josh is the same – we’re in that sweet spot of our careers.

“For me it’s just about preparing for games. If there’s media and scrutiny that comes with (contract talks), I just want to keep playing footy and keep playing well.

“In terms of when I make my call, I don’t have an answer for you just yet … When the time’s right I’m sure I’ll make the call and make the right call.”

Superstar set to return

‘Special’ GWS midfielder Josh Kelly is on track to bolster the Giants for their AFL assignment against West Coast Eagles.

Kelly, who underwent hip and knee surgery in the off-season, wasn’t quite ready to return against Essendon.

Even without Kelly and injured co-captain Callan Ward, GWS overwhelmed a Bombers midfield brigade that included former Giants Shiel and Devon Smith.

While Harry Perryman (back/ribs) and Lachie Keeffe (knee) are injury concerns for next Saturday’s away clash with the smarting AFL premiers, who were upset by Brisbane on Sunday, Giants’ coach Leon Cameron is optimistic Kelly will make the journey.

“He trained really well today (Sunday) ran about 10-11 km, a lot of hard training, a lot of physical stuff,’ Cameron said.

“We’ll make that decision early in the week. His last couple of weeks have been really good, but if we don’t think he can play 75 , 80 per cent of AFL footy, then we’ll give him another week.

‘But right now you’d probably have to say it’s more leaning towards he will play. He’s pulled up really well from Thursday to Sunday, he’ll have another crack Wednesday.

“He’s a special player we need to make sure he’s right for the whole season and not just parts of it.”

with AAP