Rockliff takes his time on Brisbane
Giants welcome back star Greene
GREATER Western Sydney are hoping the return of AFL forward Toby Greene will offer the Giants some respite after a recent string of injuries.
Star midfielder and vicecaptain Stephen Coniglio is the latest to join an injury list comprising Aidan Corr and Sam Reid, after limping off late in the last quarter against Collingwood.
The Giants vice-captain is expected to miss up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury, which defender Heath Shaw described as devastating news.
“He’s the heart and soul of our team,” Shaw said.
“(It is) disappointing for him but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
“He’ll be back just before hopefully a final series for us and he’ll be fresh as a daisy so that’s pretty handy come the end of the year.”
Shaw said it was great to see all-Australian forward Greene back on the field after a twomatch suspension for striking Western Bulldog Caleb Daniel.
“He’s a critical part of our team and especially up forward,” he said.
“We know he can step over that line every once in a while but it comes with the territory.” BRISBANE Lions vice-captain Tom Rockliff will decide his future in the back half of the season after bouncing back from the most challenging year of his career.
The reinvigorated ball winner is one of this year’s most intriguing free-agency prospects, and neither Brisbane nor Rockliff is in a rush to finalise a new deal.
The out-of-contract tough nut was at the crossroads last season amid a fallout with coach Justin Leppitsch but has rediscovered his All-Australian form under Chris Fagan.
Rockliff, 27, is the AFL’s top clearance winner this year, averaging 10 a game, and is rated elite for disposals (average 30), tackles (eight), contested possessions (15) and SuperCoach points (123).
His sharply improved form is the second biggest spike recorded by Champion Data this season, behind only Gary Ablett. Fagan has lauded Rockliff’s attitude and leadership after some “uncomfortable conversations” late last year, when the new coach told Rockliff “all of the things I’d heard about him”.
Rockliff subsequently lost the captaincy to Dayne Beams.