MADE POSSIBLE BYMLC

STAR Giant Stephen Coniglio's progress from his left knee injury will be a major talking point this week as he pushes to return for Saturday's preliminary final against Collingwood.

With Lachie Whitfield (back) likely to take his place in Greater Western Sydney's side after playing under duress in the win over Brisbane, Coniglio's bid to play is of most interest. 

Heath Shaw, Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene were all smiles after the Giants' win. Picture: AFL Photos

Coach Leon Cameron rates Coniglio only "an outside chance" but was encouraged by his weekend training hit-out. 

Whitfield copped an Eric Hipwood knee to his lower back but was able to play out the semi-final against the Lions.

Coniglio was in contention for a maiden All Australian berth before requiring arthroscopic knee surgery after a setback early in the Giants' round 17 loss to Richmond. 

The 25-year-old has since re-signed for seven years and would dearly love to help GWS reach its first Grand Final after playing in defeats at the same stage in 2016 and 2017.

The Magpies will make at least two changes from their side that beat Geelong in their MCG qualifying final two Friday nights ago. 

Levi Greenwood ruptured the ACL in his left knee in that game and requires a reconstruction, meaning he will be out for most, if not all, of next season. 

His superstar teammate Jordan De Goey is also out of the preliminary final because of a hamstring recurrence, but could make a remarkable return for the Grand Final if Collingwood advances.

The Pies sent De Goey to Germany to see world-renowned hamstring guru Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who has treated a number of AFL stars in the past. 

Meanwhile, Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan (knee) will try to prove his fitness in time to take on Richmond in Friday night's other preliminary final. 

Duncan hurt the medial ligament in his left knee in the Cats' qualifying final loss to Collingwood and subsequently sat out the semi-final triumph over West Coast. 

The 28-year-old is no certainty to face the Tigers, either. 

Battered Cats skipper Joel Selwood celebrates the semi-final win with injured Mitch Duncan. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Richmond has no such concerns, with Sydney Stack (ankle) unlikely to be considered after last playing in round 21 and suffering his injury playing in the VFL. 

Mitch Robinson (hamstring), who missed Saturday night's loss to the Giants, and Charlie Cameron (elbow) will have the off-season to recover after Brisbane bowed out of the finals.