Meet Our Boy: Stephen Coniglio

Name: Stephen Coniglio
Price: $175,200 (Midfield)
Drafted: #2 to GWS
Height: 182cm
Weight: 82kg

Stephen Coniglio is an 18 year old outright gun… and he’s our boy!! For those who have been living under a rock for the last few months…. Coniglio was drafted #2 in the National Draft behind GWS team mate Jonathon Patten. But it’s Coniglio who will have an immediate Dream Team impact when round 1 comes along. Yeah, he is expensive due to being selected at #2 in the draft compared to other rookies, but this guy is a certain starter in the GWS line up. Consider Coniglio in the same bracket as David Swallow in 2011, who was in the same boat with an inflated rookie price. Swallow went on to play 21 games at an average of 76.3. Let’s find out more….

Time In WAFL

Coniglio debuted in the WAFL with the Swan Districts in 2010 (Rd.22) and had an immediate impact with 26d and 2g. He then held his spot to play in the Grand Final where he had an impressive 17d and 4 goals to be considered one of the best on. Then in 2011, he won the WAFL Rising Star from just 6 games averaging 19d, 3m and 5t.

U/18 Championships 2011

During the U/18 Championships, Coniglio averaged 22d (10 contested) and 4 tackles a game and was rewarded for his efforts by being named on a wing as an All Australian. Add to that the fact that he won the Larke Medal for being the MVP for the championships. A medal that has been won by former guns such as David Swallow (2009), Watts (2008) and DT guru Marc Murphy (2005). Not a bad list!

Cricket Career

Yeah why not mention that this lad is handy with the bat and ball as well. During the U/15 Nationals, Coniglio scored 106* which broke the record as the highest score by a Western Australian ever at the tournament. Then during the U/17 Nationals, he knocked up a best score of 78*. Coniglio then was offered a WACA contact which he turned down to play AFL. Impressive.

In His Words:

After speaking to Stephen recently, we asked him a few quick questions.

DT TALK: Who would be the first player you’d pick in your DT this year?

SC:  Dustin Martin I reckon this year. From what I’ve read in the papers he’s in good shape and he’s been in good form the last couple of years and ready to peak I reckon.

DT TALK: What will your role be with GWS this year?

SC:  I see myself as a midfielder, so hopefully I’m amongst the midfield and try to go half forward to try to sneak a goal or two hopefully.

DT TALK: Why should we pick you in our dream teams?”

SC: I’ll get some cheap points along with some good points (laughs)…..

So there you have it, Stephen Coniglio is one of the best rookies going around. He’s a certain starter round one and fits into the similar scenario of 2011 of when it came to selecting Swallow. Coniglio is a tackling machine and should be considered for your Dream Team… if you have that little extra cash when picking your rookies. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for and this kid will not let you down!

SEE MORE…  from Coniglio and the other rookies when the DT TALK episode is released next week.

Twitter follow: @stephenconiglio @CalvinDT