GWS Giants to be without Toby Greene for Sydney Swans practice match due to birth of his first child

The Giants will be without skipper Toby Greene for their first practice match against the Swans on Thursday as he prepares to welcome his first child with his partner, Georgia.

Toby Greene. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Giants will be without skipper Toby Greene for their first practice match against the Swans on Thursday as he prepares to welcome his first child with his partner, Georgia.

Greene is one of several players unavailable for the clash, with Georgia due to give birth on Thursday.

While he’s happily resigned to watching the replay of the game – “I don’t think [watching the game live] would pass,” he said – the 30-year-old admits the idea of becoming a father for the first time has consumed him this pre-season.

“I haven’t thought too much about the season starting to be honest,” Greene said. “It’s more been the lead-up to having the baby.

“Hopefully, it’s a smooth birth and everyone’s happy and healthy and then can start to think a bit more about round one. But I’m sure the boys will be in good stead on Thursday and starting to play our way.

“I’m still getting my head around it. It’s more nerve-racking for Georgia, that’s for sure. But all good to go on Thursday so hopefully it’s all good.”

Greene and partner Georgia Stirton officially announced the pregnancy at last year’s Brownlow Medal. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The AFL world saw a new side of Greene last year, named All-Australian captain after an inspirational season on the field where he led the Giants to the preliminary final on the back of a career-best 66 goals.

That version of Greene wasn’t a surprise to those who know him best, but while the superstar forward has found comfort in his role at the Giants, he’s looking forward to learning on the fly with fatherhood.

“I’ll be making plenty of phone calls to mum and friends who have had babies and will just go on from there,” Greene said.

“I don’t think I’ve thought about it too much, I’m just taking it in. Once it comes I’m sure it’s going to be a big shock to the system.

“[The balance] will be a little bit harder but a lot of the boys have done it throughout my time in the AFL. It’s something you’ve got to deal with, you might lose a few hours of sleep here or there, but that’s all right.

“I’ve done a full pre-season so the body is good to go, it’s just about managing it when I have to and I’m sure Georgia will be super accommodating as well, she’ll be a super good mum.”

Greene was put through an extra session on Tuesday as he will miss Thursday’s match. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Greene won’t be alone at the Giants either with Stephen Coniglio and Nick Haynes also in the new dad’s club this season – “It’ll be a bit of a different feel to what it has been in the past few years but it will be awesome,” he said.

The Giants are hopeful that Greene will be available to play their final match before the season against Gold Coast in Canberra on February 29. However, that decision is entirely in the captain’s hands.

Thursday’s practice game will be a chance for GWS to have a look at plenty of young talent with Greene adding to a slowly-building list of unavailable players.

Harry Perryman (hamstring) and Isaac Cumming (quad) are both recovering from pre-season injuries that will likely see them miss the opening weeks of the campaign. Finn Callaghan (shoulder) is also in doubt for the season opener against Collingwood.

Top draft pick Phoenix Gothard will miss the start of the season due to glandular fever. Picture: Phil Hillyard

A bout of glandular fever has kept top Draft pick Phoenix Gothard out of action with the crafty small forward limited to running drills and kicks from the pocket on Tuesday morning. He was joined by fellow draftee James Leake who is on a managed program following a quad strain.

Adam Kennedy is progressing well from the ACL injury he suffered last April but will likely not see any game time for at least another month.

Leek Aleer also had a minor setback during pre-season but has been training strongly with the group. If he does play against the Swans, the 22-year-old is likely to have his minutes managed.

The club have also been forced to look for back-up ruck options with Braydon Preuss set to miss the opening weeks of the season. Aaron Cadman has spent extra time this pre-season with coaches working on his ruck work, while the experienced Lachie Keeffe could be another potential option to work alongside Kieren Briggs.