Captain Stephen Coniglio has called on WA footy fans to get behind the GIANTS this week in the Sydney Derby.

Coniglio, who grew up in Perth before being drafted to the GIANTS in 2011, said he hopes the club’s strong connection with the state will see plenty of orange in the crowd.

“It’s funny being part of a new AFL side that popped up in Western Sydney and 10 years later I’m back captaining that side in a Sydney Derby in Perth… if you’d said that to me 10 years ago there would have been some high odds for that,” said Coniglio.

Coniglio caught the attention of recruiters around the country in 2010 when as a 16-year old he starred for Swans Districts, kicking four goals in their drought-breaking WAFL Premiership. 

Come Thursday the now 26-year-old will be playing against, rather than for, a different type of Swan in the 19th Sydney Derby.

“It’s a special time anytime we play the Swans and to do it in Perth where I have family and friends watching, of course it’s going to be more special,” he said.

“Perth people love footy and while it is a neutral game with neither Fremantle or West Coast playing, I hope on Thursday night that there is a lot of orange (in the crowd) and we get a lot of support.”

Coniglio said the club would give former captain Phil Davis every opportunity to play on Thursday after he suffered a knee injury on Friday night’s win against Essendon.

The club will complete its main training session on Tuesday morning in Perth.