Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield have played a combined 520 matches in the orange and charcoal.
They were pick number two and number one respectively in back-to-back National Drafts for a Giants side in its infancy. Few would have expected them to be driving forces in victories for the club some 15 years later, but on Saturday night, that is exactly how proceedings played out.
The Giants have been decimated by injury this season, with walk-up starters Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Tom Green and Finn Callaghan a few of the magnets not at Adam Kingsley's disposal for a clash with the Power, necessitating vintage performances from the duo.
Coniglio registered three goals from his 20 touches, while Whitfield garnered 29 disposals, was customarily among the top handful of players for metres gained, and kicked his first goal since 2023 as the Giants kept their slim Wildcard chances alive in a gutsy 10.15 (75) to 9.9 (63) road win over the Power at Adelaide Oval.
Lachie Whitfield's first goal since round 14, 2023 is a beauty!@Coles | #AFLPowerGiants pic.twitter.com/hjzDVrhvBe
— AFL (@AFL) August 1, 2026
Former Demon Clayton Oliver played his role at the coalface, with five clearances from his 23 disposals furthering his recruit of the year case, while youngster Harvey Thomas had 23 touches of his own.
Jason Horne-Francis and Aliir Aliir were the Power's best, continuing fine seasons in the absences of Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Esava Ratugolea et al.
Horne-Francis, the number one pick from the 2021 National Draft, had 29 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, while the Power's defensive general Aliir registered 21 touches from behind the play.
The maligned Wildcard Round concept received a boost, with Giants coach and Power premiership player Adam Kingsley calling the concept "pretty exciting" as his side jostle for a place in the new fixture.
"There's three of us competing for that 10th spot, so it's pretty exciting leading into the next three games," Kingsley said post-match.
"We'll review this game, we'll prepare for Gold Coast next week down in Canberra, so we'll enjoy that.
"If we're good enough we'll make it, if we're not we won't, it's as simple as that.
"I think we're competing with Carlton and St Kilda for that last spot in that Wildcard Round, and it'll be the same story for those guys too – if they're good enough they'll make it, if not … that's how it is at the moment, unfortunately.
"We put our best foot forward and try and earn that spot."
Skipper Toby Greene could "possibly" feature in that rendezvous with their fellow expansion club.
"He would have trained this morning (Saturday), I haven't been updated how he trained," Kingsley said.
"He'll need to get through pain free and train well next week in full training, in order to be available, whether he can do that, I'm not sure.
"It'll be touch and go I should imagine.
"The Power will need all the moxie they can muster, as a trip to the SCG to face Sydney is up next for Josh Carr's men."
