GREATER Western Sydney midfielder Stephen Coniglio is just a "50-50" chance to appear in Saturday's Grand Final, coach Leon Cameron says.
What the Giants choose to do with Coniglio is the biggest selection decision of Grand Final week, with Toby Greene (suspension) certain to play and Lachie Whitfield (appendicitis) highly likely.
Co-captain Phil Davis, who suffered a recurrence in Saturday's preliminary final of a so-called back-related calf issue, is another player who will be closely monitored.
Coniglio coincidentally suffered cartilage damage in his already sore left knee against Grand Final opponent Richmond in the early minutes of round 17.
The 25-year-old, who re-signed for seven more seasons in August, subsequently underwent arthroscopic surgery and his ability to return depended on GWS going deep into September.
"It's not going to be (an) easy selection, just because we're talking about some of those guys. Toby will play and we expect Lachie to play as well – he's recovering really well," Cameron told SEN radio.
"Stephen is probably more of a 50-50, but as the week goes on, we've got to make sure we make the right call on Stephen.
Stephen Coniglio in the rooms after the Giants' win over the Pies. Picture: AFL Photos
"He is (a chance) … he's actually got a fair bit of (training) load into him now, but it's just how much footy work he's got into him that we think he can last the distance.
"It's not as if you can bring a person in and play them 30 or 40 per cent, because if someone goes down you're in massive strife."
Cameron was adamant Coniglio would make a "selfless" call if he genuinely wasn't fit enough to take his spot.
"We'll make the decision, and Stephen's been great. He's not going to make a decision and say 'I'm ready to go coach', just because it's obviously a Grand Final," Cameron said.
"He's a selfless person and he'll make the right decision for the team. But equally, we brought in Bobby Hill and Lachie Keeffe, and I thought they both had fantastic moments in the game.
"There's always an unlucky story, and there are some fantastic stories in Grand Final week – and it will be no different for us."
Davis expects not to train this week until about Wednesday or Thursday and if he plays it will be in defence, after he spent considerable time forward after hurting himself against Collingwood.
Phil Davis celebrates the win with GWS fans. Picture: AFL Photos
"Again, we've got to make sure he can get through a full game of footy," Cameron said.
"As hard as the decision will be, Phil, who's the ultimate professional, will make the right call, and we'll make the right call, and we look forward to that later in the week.
"But he is feeling confident as he comes in this morning."
Another major talking point is ageing ruckman Shane Mumford, who's given away 14 free kicks in his past two finals against Brisbane then the Magpies.
Shane Mumford and Brodie Grundy battle it out in the ruck. Picture: AFL Photos
Mumford came up big in the dying minutes, including a baulk on Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury deep in defence.
"(Are the free kicks) a concern sometimes? It is. But I think what outweighs everything is just the bash and crash that helps our midfield," Cameron said.
"You just can't put a statistic to what he does for (midfielders) Hopper, Taranto, Kelly and Williams, and so you take all the good with the bad sometimes, and I think the good outweighs it.
"We've all been at footy clubs and seen players that you love and admire, because they push themselves through an enormous amount of pain because of their bodies – and he's that for us."
