STEPHEN Coniglio isn't sure if he'll be fit to play in Greater Western Sydney's maiden Grand Final against Richmond next week, but the vice-captain has vowed to do everything in his power to get up.
The star midfielder hasn't played since injuring his knee against the Tigers at the MCG in round 17, an issue that required surgery.
Stephen Coniglio has been helped from the field after landing awkwardly in this play.#AFLTigersGiants pic.twitter.com/CMCNRTw6Mm
— AFL (@AFL) July 14, 2019
Coniglio has been running for the past month and has increased the intensity of his training over the past fortnight, but he still faces an uphill battle to play in the biggest game of his life.
If the 25-year-old can return it will be a massive for GWS, but after watching his team's thrilling four-point win over Collingwood on Saturday, he seemed less than confident.
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"I actually don't know myself, but we'll see," he said.
"Now that we're in I'll just have to do what I can to try and play."
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Coniglio was at the MCG to help his teammates prepare for the Magpies and said the emotion of the win was incredible.
"I'm lost for words, I'm just so proud," he said.
Coniglio hugs Jacob Hopper after the preliminary final. Picture: AFL Photos
"At the end there, we were down at that far end (where the Giants cheer squad was sitting) and I just said to a couple of the boys, 'take it in', because the amount of orange that was in the crowd and the noise that was made, it was special to be a part of.
"We've created something from scratch and to see that tonight, I'm just so proud of everyone.
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"In the last couple of weeks, we've seen performances that make people start talking.
"We've been doing this for a while and we've had some unlucky things happen to us and we keep rolling with the punches, and that's why we got it done."
As the final siren sounded, Coniglio celebrated with star forward Toby Greene and a host of other non-playing GWS players.
Greene missed the preliminary final because of a controversial suspension and will be a big inclusion for the Giants next week.
"I'm happy for him," Coniglio said.
"If we'd gone out, I couldn't imagine how he would have been feeling and hurting all pre-season.
"The fact that he can get a chance next week, for a guy like him, a close mate and a star for us, is just fantastic."