Stephen Coniglio is no closer to deciding on his AFL future but admits he needs to "cash in" on his ability and is braced for all the scrutiny that will follow him as his contract with Greater Western Sydney ticks closer to expiry.
Coniglio's bargaining position with the Giants and any other interested clubs was boosted significantly on Sunday with a best-on-ground display in the team's 72-point demolition of Essendon.
Please stay, mate: Sam Reid embraces Stephen Coniglio after the midfield gun starred in the Giants' big round-one win over Essendon.Credit:AAP
The midfield superstar tallied 31 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and three goals as GWS took an abject Bombers outfit to the cleaners. Such performances illustrate why the likes of Carlton and Hawthorn are reportedly set to make big-money offers at the end of the season when Coniglio, 25, is due to become a restricted free agent.
Coniglio knows the score. He has seen the circus that surrounds star players in contract years before – including teammate Josh Kelly, who knocked back interest from North Melbourne two years ago to stay put in Sydney's west, but is also reaching the end of his current deal.
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"Josh went through it 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 it, I just want to keep playing footy and keep playing well.
Welcome back: Stephen Coniglio dispossesses former GWS teammate Dylan Shiel, now with Essendon.Credit:AAP
"In terms of when I make my call, I don't have an answer for you just yet. I'm just priming myself for another big season.
"We've fallen short a couple of years so for me to get better individually and then collectively as a team has been my stance on the whole thing. When the time's right I'm sure I'll make the call and make the right call."
It's understood the Giants' recent trade activity has been partly motivated by the need to clear salary cap space for Coniglio and Kelly – which, perhaps, explains why coach Leon Cameron is so bullish about keeping them both.
Asked how negotiations with Coniglio were tracking, Cameron said: "They're pretty good – well, not pretty good, they're really good, actually.
"Him and Josh Kelly are in a really good space. There's always two paths to a negotiation. Does (Coniglio's) price go up because he plays like that? Some may say yes, some may say no. But it's irrelevant because he couldn't be more committed to our footy club.
"I'm confident it'll get done. He loves the club. It'll take its time, it'll play out how it'll play out – the same as Josh. All the dialogue with key stakeholders at the footy club are really positive and I'm rapt to have hiRead More
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