• Who's on the move? Check out the status of 2015's free agents
GREATER Western Sydney midfielder Stephen Coniglio says the lure of making history with the Giants was the major factor behind him re-signing with the club for at least another two years.
The West Australian was out of contract at the end of this season, but has pledged his allegiance to the Giants until the end of 2017, leaving fellow onballer Adam Treloar as the last high profile name left for GWS to secure.
Fellow young stars Dylan Shiel, Jeremy Cameron, Devon Smith and Will Hoskin-Elliott have all recently re-signed with the Giants.
Coniglio has been one of the Giants' best players in 2015, and is fresh off 26 possessions and an incredible 16 tackles in the club's 35-point win over St Kilda on Sunday.
The signature of the 21-year-old is a massive coup for GWS, both West Coast and Fremantle were expected to try to lure the Perth boy home at season's end with significant deals.
A foundation member of the AFL's youngest club, Coniglio told AFL.com.au that a chance to be part of the Giants' first finals campaign and premiership was the biggest reason for staying.
The popular clubman believes that finals duck can be broken this season, despite the long-term injuries suffered by three of the club's most important players, Shane Mumford, co-captain Phil Davis and Joel Patfull.
"We're a really young group in the sense that we've grown up watching our favourite players in the finals each year, and we aspire to get to that stage," Coniglio said.
"No doubt we're going to be giving our all over the next eight weeks, we're trying to win every game and put ourselves into a position where we can play in a final this year."
Despite being on the opposite side of the country from his tight-knit family, the 2011 No.2 draft pick said his decision to stay on the eastern seaboard wasn't a hard call.
"Obviously the lure is to go home with friends and family, but as much as Perth will always be my 'home' home, for the moment I'm really happy here in Sydney and I love the club," Coniglio said.
"Mum and Dad are obviously very supportive of me, along with my two brothers and little sister.
"I'm sure if I made a decision they didn't think was right they would have pulled me up, but from when I made up my mind, they said 'We'll back you 100 per cent no matter what, and they were rapt."
He may have been linked to the AFL's two WA clubs throughout the year, but Coniglio told AFL.com.au his only goal was to re-sign with GWS.
Incredibly, the midfielder who is having a breakout season in 2015 averaging almost 23 possessions and six tackles a game – both career highs – said the only concern he had about signing a new contract, was whether or not he would fit into the Giants among their massive pool of talented onballers.
"From the start I was really honest with the Giants and my manager, I didn't want to speak to any other clubs or hear about any other offers, I wanted to stay at the Giants,” Coniglio said.
"At the start of the year the main thing I had to weigh up was whether or not there was a spot for me and if I was in our best 22, and that was my thinking throughout the whole process.
"I've been pretty comfortable with where I've been at all year. Firstly I wanted to get my spot in the team, and then consistently perform, which I've been able to do so far.
"It's good news and hopefully a positive one for the club."
Coach Leon Cameron was ecstatic with Coniglio's decision.
“Stephen is an exciting young talent with great leadership qualities and a mentality for hard work,” Cameron said.
"He’s been an exceptional player for us and I’m sure along with us, our fans will be thrilled with his decision to re-sign."
GWS officials will now focus their attention on Treloar, but they have plenty of work to do, with several Melbourne clubs reportedly prepared to offer the Victorian a substantial contract to move home.
