Carlton reportedly putting together a huge offer for GWS star Stephen Coniglio

Ben Madden

Carlton reportedly putting together a huge offer for GWS star Stephen Coniglio image

Greater Western Sydney midfielder Stephen Coniglio has been the subject of much speculation this year, as he remains yet to re-sign with the Giants.

He heads into this year's free agency period a restricted free agent, with many clubs desperate to have him make the move away from GWS.



Speaking on Triple M, reporter Tom Browne said Carlton are going to offer the Giants midfielder a huge deal to move to Victoria.

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"The next big story is going to be Stephen Coniglio," Browne said.

“He’s very close to recommitting at the Giants, but I think Carlton is preparing a last-ditch godfather offer where they’ll pitch to Coniglio directly in the next couple of weeks.

"It'd take five years plus at more than 1.4 million, but they're gonna have a go, the Blues."

Browne's comments come after GWS CEO Dave Matthews said there was no timeline on Coniglio re-signing with the club.

Speaking to SEN, Matthews said that Coniglio is a favourite son at GWS.

“There’d be 17 other clubs that would be as happy as we are to have Stephen Coniglio,” Matthews said.

“There’s no pressure from us in terms of timelines. We’ve got a great level of respect for him. He’s been with our club since day one and he’s helped build it.

“In any of these things, the sooner the better, but we’re not impatient about it.

“He’s a restricted free agent too, not an outright free agent. I think his manager has had a bit of time away as well, he’s only recently back in the country so discussions are ongoing and we’d look to resolve it sooner rather than later, but in saying that, there’s no deadline from us.”

Carlton aren't the only club launching an audacious bid to snare the midfielder, with reports earlier this week that St Kilda have been readying an offer for Coniglio worth more than $1.4 million a season.

Coniglio is averaging 28 disposals and a goal per game this year, including a standout game against fellow expansion club Gold Coast in round 11, where he had 36 touches and kicked three goals to help GWS to a comprehensive 83-point win. 

Ben Madden