26-05-2025
'Sad to hear': AFL world reacts amid 'disappointing' news about beloved veteran
AFL fans are sending messages of support to Stephen Coniglio after the GWS Giants veteran revealed worrying new details about his indefinite stint on the sidelines. It was thought the 31-year-old would only miss one week with a glute issue he suffered in Round 3, but he hasn't return to action since.
On Monday he revealed he's battling a nerve issue, and couldn't walk at one point. "It was [before] our West Coast game (in Round 4) and I just woke up like any other morning, just preparing to come to captain's run, and I just couldn't walk," the former GWS captain said.
"I felt this pain shooting down my leg ... I just pulled out of that game, disappointing, just thinking a couple of days it'll settle. As it's gone on, it's moved from my glute down my hamstring. It's been a bit of trial and error, but it's a nerve issue that's bothering me. I tried a couple of injections that, again, hadn't seemed to work initially. We're trying a few other things at the moment."
Coniglio is tentatively targeting a return in Round 14 against Brisbane in three weeks' time, but admits that timeline is anything but certain. It comes as a frustrating new blow for the 31-year-old, who had been rediscovering his form after facial surgery and a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season.
"I'm over 30 now, so everyone's pointing to maybe it could be that, but I'm feeling 24, 25 again after having not played a lot for the last year," he said. "Last year, dealing with the two operations gave me some really good mental perspective on how lucky I am and how grateful I am to play this game. I'm very confident in my own ability and that I'll be back playing my best very soon. I love the game so much."
RELATED:
Calls for Kane Cornes to be sanctioned over Luke Beveridge incident
AFL world gutted over heartbreaking news about West Coast hero
Fans were left saddened to learn of Coniglio's plight, particularly after going through such a difficult time in the off-season. Many sent messages of support on social media and expressed their hope he'll be back soon.
"Sad to hear," one person wrote. "Hope we see you back on the field soon." Another commented: "All the best for a speedy recovery."
Also on Monday, Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe said he's realistic that 2025 might be his last season, but is confident he can keep playing on. And Howe said Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom will make a decision when the time is right.
The 34-year-old Howe is in the Magpies' Dads' Army along with Pendlebury (37) and Sidebottom (34). With Collingwood top of the AFL ladder and Howe playing 10 of their 11 games so far this season, the 262-game defender says he's going well - but is under no illusions how quickly that could change.
"For me the seasons aren't getting any shorter, they're getting longer" Howe said on Monday. "For me it's always a physical and mental check-in, see how I'm going, and at the moment everything is in really good shape.
"I can't afford to project too far forward. As long as I'm feeling like I am at the moment, all things are probably going in the right direction. But I'm just worried about the Hawks on Friday."
Howe was asked whether he'd spoken with Pendlebury and Sidebottom about their futures. "They're almost entitled to write what they want to do," he said of his veteran teammates. I actually haven't even discussed that - me, Sidey and Pendles get on like a house on fire, us three old guys, but we don't have those discussions at all.
"Every individual is a little bit different. The seasons are so long, you're not sure how it's going to pan out. The discussions will keep happening. I know it's a talking point in terms of how old we are and what happens, but we'll come to a decision that we're all happy with, no doubt."
with AAP
