GREATER Western Sydney recruit Brett Deledio has made a long awaited and successful return to footy 371 days since his last competitive match.

After months of frustration since crossing from Richmond at the end of last season, thanks to a string of calf injuries and setbacks, Deledio safely negotiated the second half of the Giants' 13-point upset win over Sydney University in the NEAFL on Saturday.

The 30-year-old spent time on the wing and across half back and finished with 17 possessions in front of around 300 fans at Blacktown, a stark contrast to the almost 45,000 that turned up to the MCG for his last appearance in the AFL for former club Richmond in round 17 last season.

Deledio spoke exclusively to AFL.com.au from the physio's bench while receiving his usual dry needle treatment after the match, and said that he was confident he could have an impact on the Giants' premiership tilt despite his wretched run.

"That’s the plan, I didn't come up here just to cross-train and be a 'rehabber'," he said.

"It's been a difficult journey at times but I'm looking forward to getting another run under my belt next week, and hopefully I can start knocking on Leon's (Cameron) door and seeing if I can slide into the team.

"I've got to be playing good footy, it's not a foregone conclusion that you come straight into the side, so I've got to make sure I'm doing everything right.

"We're a reasonably talented side and the boys are playing some pretty good footy at the moment, so I'm not going to get an armchair ride into the team."

After a shocking run with injuries in 2017 it was a positive day for the Giants ahead of this year's finals series, with star midfielder Stephen Coniglio also getting through the match unscathed.

Coniglio has played just two senior matches this year because of two significant ankle injuries, the second of which required surgery in May, but dominated with 36 disposals and a goal, and did a power of work for the winners.

#NEAFL HT GIANTS 8.6.54 lead Syd Uni 5.4.34 - Coniglio dominating with 20 disposals -

Deledio warming up for 2nd half #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/J2zsSORcuD — GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) July 22, 2017

The West Australian would have sent a scare through the GWS camp when he got up limping after being heavily tackled while kicking in the third term, but he shook it off and played out the rest of the match.

He told AFL.com.au after the match that getting through the third-term hit was good for his confidence after his initial ankle trouble occurred in similar fashion against North Melbourne in the JLT Community Series.

"I was glad it happened to be honest, the last time that happened I came off and was done for 10 weeks," Coniglio said.

"It was good to cop a tackle and go down, but after 30 seconds I was good to go, and it was good to tick that off.

"I'd love to come in and play against Fremantle next week, but if it's another week, I'm just happy I have a good chunk of time to get back into good nick and hopefully contribute come finals time."

Young defender Harry Himmelberg was another Giant to make his way back from injury, and was prominent in his first match since hurting his finger against the Brisbane Lions in round 14.