Greater Western Sydney has sealed its first win of the season with a 12.11 (83) to 8.9 (57) victory over Gold Coast at Giants Stadium.
The GWS midfield came out firing after criticism of their performance last week against Richmond, with co-captain Coniglio and club debutant Preuss joined by Tom Green and Tim Taranto in setting the tone around stoppages.
The Giants won the clearances 54-35 as the SUNS' prolific onballer Touk Miller was restricted to only 17 possessions and Matt Rowell also had little influence on the match.
The resurgent Coniglio again looked to have rediscovered some of his best form as he collected 21 disposals in the first half and finished with 32 touches and a game-high 10 clearances in a stirring display.
The injury-prone Preuss made his Giants debut after arriving at his third club late in 2020 and had an instant impact with 34 hitouts, 16 possessions and seven clearances while getting the better of SUNS co-captain Jarrod Witts.
The SUNS' co-captain Miller was unable to shake the close attention of Lachlan Ash as he dropped under 29 touches for the first time in the past 19 matches.
Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult (both three goals) kept the scoreboard respectable for the SUNS, while Jack Lukosius was missed in defence but set up several shots on goal with his neat kicking when playing in the front-half.
It was a happy homecoming for the Giants who were playing their first match at their home ground for 287 days after being forced to play away from Sydney due to COVID-19 last year.
GWS travel to Perth to play Fremantle next weekend, while Gold Coast will look to bounce back when it hosts Carlton at Metricon Stadium in round four.
Levi's still a good fit
When Gold Coast extended a rookie lifeline to Levi Casboult it seemed to be as a top-up player only to be called upon in an injury crisis, but the former Blue is proving he can provide more than list security. Casboult kicked two goals in each of the SUNS' matches over the opening fortnight and upped the effort with three on Saturday. He was clunking marks in his bucket-like hands as strongly as ever and finishing with straight kicking that has not always been as evident.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.4 8.7 9.9 12.11 (83)
GOLD COAST 1.4 3.5 4.6 8.9 (57)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Himmelberg 3, Green 2, Hogan 2, de Boer, Hill, Keeffe, O'Halloran, Taranto
Gold Coast: Casboult 3, Chol 3, Holman, Sexton
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Taranto, Coniglio, Green, Whitfield, Preuss, Hogan
Gold Coast: Rowell, Weller, Casboult, Fiorini, Sharp
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Haynes (foot/ankle)
Gold Coast: TBC
MEDICAL SUBS
Greater Western Sydney: Adam Kennedy, replaced Nick Haynes in the fourth quarter
Gold Coast: Josh Corbett (unused)
