Tom Green reflects on journey to 100 AFL games and his Giant ambitions with GWS

As he approaches his 100th AFL game, Tom Green is on track to go down as one of the AFL’s most prolific midfielders — ever. Lachlan McKirdy finds out what drives the milestone Giant.

Tom Green might be on track to be one of the modern era’s great midfielders, but the Giant knows it’s time to take even more responsibility to help lead his team to success.

The Canberra native has already had quite a remarkable career since progressing through the Giants’ Academy before being picked with the 10th selection of the 2019 AFL Draft. He has become an established star of the competition, earning a reputation for his ball-winning ability and nous around stoppages.

And as he prepares to play his 100th AFL match on Sunday in Geelong, his numbers suggest he’s already in elite company.

Of all players who have debuted after 1999, Green will have the fifth-most disposals on record after 100 matches. He also has a chance to move into fourth all-time for contested possessions, if he can find the 18 he needs to jump Fremantle legend Nat Fyfe.

Green has always been full of confidence and has previously not shied away from the claim he can be the best player in the competition, as if that isn’t what every AFL player should aim for.

But as he reaches the first major milestone of his career, he examines the achievement, and the accomplishments of his career so far, with even more maturity than usual.

Green hasn’t given too much thought to his 100 game milestone with his major focus helping turn the Giants’ fortunes around. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“If you had told me as a 14 or 15-year-old I’d get to play 100 AFL games, that’s incredible,” Green said. “It feels so far away at that point, so it is really nice. It’s not an opportunity I take lightly, and one that I’m really grateful for.

“You try your best to perform every single weekend, and if you’re able to do that, you end up in a position where your performance is viewed, whether it’s positively or negatively, with how your team is going.

“That comes with the territory. It’s not unique to me either. You’ve got to be dialled in on exactly what the coaches want from you and what contributing to us playing winning football looks like every single week.

“If you can do that, you can’t really ask for much more. So, I think that’s really, really important.”

The 24-year-old has always felt responsibility on his shoulders, but even more so given he now has the keys to the Giants’ midfield. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Unfortunately for both Green and the Giants, “winning football” has deserted them over the past three weeks. There have been glimpses of their best form, but across the board, they have been well below the form expected from a team many tipped as premiership favourites.

In particular, the midfield group has come under intense scrutiny. Their loss in Green’s hometown of Canberra against the Bulldogs was their third-worst clearance result in the club’s history.

But this is a side that relishes being written off, and Green wants to help lead the fightback. He’s already producing on the field – leading the AFL for average disposals while also second for contested possessions and sixth for clearances.

Now, it’s about how he can help inspire the rest of his team to come with him.

“The weekend (against Sydney) was a step forward from the previous two weeks, which weren’t really up to scratch in any facet of the game,” Green said.

“We needed a response, and you pride yourself on your ability when you are challenged. But it’s not just responding when you’re down, it’s being in a position where you don’t need to respond.

The midfield gun has already had his fair share of headline moments, but team success remains the No.1 goal. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Even if I’d only played 10 games, I’ve always been someone who wants responsibility. I feel responsible to perform every single week. It’s probably heightened now with a few of those more experienced guys out, but I really enjoy it.

“I’m always trying my absolute hardest to influence the game as much as I can as often as I can. Even early in my career, when maybe there’s not as much expectation from staff or players, I certainly always felt like if I can contribute, it’s going to go a way to helping us win.”

At the core of the Giants’ success over recent years has been their midfield group. Since their early days, players like Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly have masterminded their rise up the table to become a consistent finals’ side.

However, there’s no doubt that their midfield is undergoing a period of transition. Players like Ward and Coniglio have moved to other parts of the ground, while Green and Finn Callaghan, in particular, have taken ownership of their role through the middle.

Green is embracing the challenge of leading the Giants young midfield group. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While Green’s external reputation might focus on his podcast quips or headline-grabbing quotes, across 99 AFL games, he’s shown he has the talent to back it up.

And there’s a reason why the 24-year-old, who is also the youngest player in the Giants’ leadership group, has been entrusted with the keys to make sure this isn’t just a midfield group for the future, but one for the present.

“Everything we do is important for the now, but also important for the future,” Green said.

“I’m not that old guy who feels like he needs to pass down his wisdom, but any little tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, influencing those (younger) guys and being able to help them along their journey as well, it is nice.”

Originally published as Tom Green reflects on journey to 100 AFL games and his Giant ambitions with GWS