Gun midfielder Stephen Coniglio has underlined his value to Greater Western Sydney by carrying them to a much-needed win in his AFL comeback match.
Playing just his third senior game of the season and his first in 10 rounds, after a second syndesmosis ankle injury, Coniglio on Saturday pulled the struggling Giants out of a big hole.
They trailed lowly Fremantle at home by 15 points going into the final quarter, but Coniglio's clearance work kickstarted GWS.
He finished with a team-leading 12 contested possessions and was their joint-highest possession getter and clearance winner.
"As the game wore on, he could have dropped off because of his preparation, but he had a big say in the game," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
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"Especially inside, he helped (Dylan) Shiel and (Josh) Kelly get going.
"Dylan and Josh will be the first ones to put their hand up to say that, the last few weeks, they've just dropped away a little bit."
"He (Coniglio) is our vice-captain for a reason.
"To play first up like he did; the team is down in confidence; (he) finds a way; 'last quarter, get on my back' and they did."
Cameron described as terrific the Giants' senior debut of former Geelong ruckman Dawson Simpson, who won 44 hitouts.
He wasn't concerned Giants' veteran Heath Shaw was captured on camera behaving in animated fashion towards teammate Aidan Corr.
"It's not great if it gets played out publicly, but I would have no concern considering they are close mates and they are probably sitting back laughing about it," he said.
"I like when they challenge each other - it means they are on edge.
"If I can get my team to be playing a lot more on edge, which we probably haven't over the last few weeks, then I'll take that any day of the week."
Dockers' coach Ross Lyon drew some positives from the continued development of his younger players.
"Today is a pointer that we're improving and we're working really hard and we're on the right path," Lyon said.
