One of the AFL’s great modern competitors, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt says Stephen Coniglio’s decision to rule himself out of the grand final is a no-brainer.

The GWS star has fallen desperately short in his bid to recover from a knee injury in time for Saturday’s premiership decider against Richmond.

Coniglio was put through his paces at training on Wednesday and was left feeling he couldn’t withstand the rigours of a grand final.

The Giants vice-captain informed coach Leon Cameron after training and was lauded for his team-first decision.

Riewoldt, who played in two losing grand final sides as well as the draw in 2010, was famous for his relentlessly competitive nature.

But the former Saints captain said he had no doubt Coniglio had made the right call.

“He didn’t sound like a player with a lot of confidence about being able to get there,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“I think there would have been an element of fear and almost walking a plank – that you knew judgment day, D-Day was creeping up on you.

“Imagine going down in the first five (minutes) – not just the physical strain that puts on the group but the air that would have been sucked out of the group spiritually.

“It’s a no-brainer.”

Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy suggested Coniglio’s call could prove to be a shot in the arm for the Giants.

“On one level, it’s really heartbreaking,” said Murphy, who experienced grand-final anguish when he missed out on the Bulldogs’ 2016 flag through injury.

“And it really is devastating for the team to not have him there. But it’s also inspiring – this is what’s at stake.

“I’d put my arms around him. That’s what the group will do but they know they’ve got a job to do.”