Former captain Stephen Coniglio will return from his eye injury, leaving GWS with a tough selection call for their AFL semi-final against Port Adelaide.
The star Giants midfielder was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s elimination final win over St Kilda because of blurred vision, after a ball had hit him in the eye at training.
His replacement Xavier O’Halloran played his role against the Saints, but Coniglio returned to training on Tuesday morning and is certain to be recalled for the sudden-death final against the Power on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.
“It was unfortunate missing him on the weekend, but he was out there training today and feeling a lot better. So he’ll be good to go,” said Giants vice-captain Josh Kelly.
He was asked how unlucky someone will be to make way for Coniglio.
“Absolutely – everyone played their role on the weekend and played it really well,” Kelly replied.
“When you have that kind of pressure for selection … that’s a sign of a really good team.
“It will be a tough one, but everyone’s really understanding that’s that the way it is, that’s how you be a successful team.”
Kelly was on light duties at Tuesday training, but said the team had a “clean bill of health” after the MCG match.
While the Giants have a solid 6-4 record in their last 10 Adelaide Oval visits, they have not beaten Port there since 2019.
Their most recent visit was a 51-point belting in round 22 that put the Giants’ finals hopes in jeopardy.
“We learned a few lessons from our last time. We weren’t at the level we needed to be and they played an outstanding brand,” Kelly said.
“So we have to expect them to be at that level again. We just have to raise how we (go) about it.”
Kelly added their scouting of Port would be a mix of that round-22 loss, plus how well Brisbane played the Power in Saturday night’s qualifying final.
“We saw them at their absolute best that day. You take those lessons,” he said.
“Then you also look at ways the Lions might have gotten on top … and balance that.”
Coniglio’s absence meant Kelly spent more time in the midfield and he was best afield against St Kilda.
Kelly said teammate Tom Green, who also shone last Saturday, was a big reason the Giants are back in the premiership hunt.
“He’s got a real confidence in his ability. I walk alongside him taller because of that,” Kelly said.
“He’s a great player, makes us a better team and I think he does love the big stage. He’s a bull, he’s done it consistently enough now to show he’s one of the stars of the competition.
“It’s a special group. Right from the moment the new coaches walked in (this season), the game style and culture they wanted to implement, the whole group was well and truly on board.
“I have so much trust in this group.”
