GREATER Western Sydney stars Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield did little to dispel doubts over their availability for Saturday's Grand Final against Richmond at the club's open training session on Tuesday.
Co-captain Phil Davis was a no-show at the open session, but he's in less doubt than his teammates despite calf and shoulder issues.
Coniglio (knee) and Whitfield (appendix) were on light duties, rotating through some cross-training and stationary work, while Davis (calf) was kept inside as the rest of the squad was put through its paces at a packed WestConnex Centre.
Leon Cameron and Stephen Coniglio chat during training. Picture: Getty Images
Whitfield jogged laps with a massive smile on his face, cheered on by hundreds of attending GWS fans, and while he didn't have the usual spring in his step, he will increase the intensity of his training as the week goes on.
Wednesday's main session will be Coniglio's biggest test.
Lachie Whitfield off the bike and into a light jog in front of a massive crowd at @GWSGIANTS HQ. Coniglio out there but no Phil Davis on the track. More on #FootyFeed @AFLcomau pic.twitter.com/Kg5gCEDPrR
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) September 24, 2019
He's built his training load slowly since his operation and will be given more rigorous work to see if he can play his first game since injuring himself in round 17 against the Tigers at the MCG.
Lachie Whitfield running laps on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images
Good friend Heath Shaw told the media on Tuesday that Coniglio would give everything to play, but not if it hurts the Giants' chances of winning their maiden premiership.
"He's going to give it a crack and then it's up to the match committee whether they pick him or not," he said.
"There's going to be a few tough decisions towards the end of the week and a few guys might miss out, which will be heart breaking, but it's for the greater good and it's team first.
Stephen Coniglio working the ropes at training
"I spoke to his old man after the game and he said, 'you make sure he makes the right decision', and Stephen will make the right decision for himself and the team.
"He's always been a club first guy and there's a Grand Final at stake.
"As much as he'd love to be out there, if it's a risk for himself and the team, then he won't play."
While Coniglio faces a tough task to convince the Giants' coaching staff that he's ready to face the Tigers, Shaw was more confident on the prospects of Whitfield and Davis, who are vitally important parts of the Giants' team at different ends of the ground.
"Phil will train on Wednesday and have a go then, if not we'll have a look at him on Friday," Shaw said.
Footy in Western Sydney... it won’t work they said @GWSGIANTS pic.twitter.com/mG64r1QpKF
— Leigh Meyrick (@lmeyrick) September 24, 2019
"He's tracking pretty well, and he pulled up well, so we'll give him as much time as he needs.
"We'll be really cautious with Lachie too, there's no point rushing him."
Whitfield missed last week's thrilling preliminary final win over Collingwood when his appendix was removed mid-week, just days after he was physically targeted by Brisbane hard nut Nick Robertson in the Giants' semi-final win at the Gabba.
Toby Greene with GWS fans on Tuesday. Getty Images
Shaw said he's not worried about Richmond going after the star runner if he's passed fit to return in the season-decider.
"I don't really know exactly where the appendix is," he said.
"Once you're out there you're playing hard footy and if you're going out of your way to target a player, then you're probably going away from team structures.
"Lachie is a good player and he is targeted because of that, but for a skinny little runt, he's one of the toughest guys I've played with.
"He just pushes through, he won't complain."