GWS coach Leon Cameron is sure the injury to Stephen Coniglio hasn’t had an impact on whether the star midfielder decides to stay with the Giants.
The 25-year-old GWS foundation player who is off contract at the end of this season, could be sidelined for up to two months and potentially miss the rest of the AFL season after suffering a knee injury last weekend.
A number of clubs are reported to be interested in luring the widely respected Coniglio away form the Giants lair.
“I’ve got no reason not to think that he’ll be here at this footy club, just because he’s had an injury on the weekend,” Cameron said on Friday.
“He was back here as quick as he possibly could, he’s at the footy club.
“If I start to sense something different I’ll let you guys know, but realistically I don’t sense that at all
“We want him to be a lifer for our footy club and I haven’t changed my thought process on that.”
After undergoing surgery on Tuesday, the 133-game veteran will begin his rehab next week with a view to returning before the end of the season.
“If anyone is going to return a bit earlier, it will be him because he’s got a really good appetite for work and he’ll attack his rehab really well,” Cameron said.
Coniglio is expected to be in the coaches box for Saturday’s clash between GWS and Collingwood at Giants Stadium.
“He’s our vice-captain and he likes to be involved straight away,” Cameron said.
“He’s really connected to the group and he’s a good young leader of our club, so I’d expect no different.”