Leon Cameron hits back at Malcolm Blight’s comments that Toby Greene ‘shouldn’t have been born’

After AFL Hall of famer Malcolm Blight quipped Toby Greene ‘should never have been born’, GWS has launched a staunch defence of its star small forward.

Leon Cameron is utterly sick of Toby Greene being used as an endless punchline with no thought for the impact it could have.

The Giants coach, who will welcome a fit-again Greene into his side for Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne in Hobart, insists there has to be a fun side to football but it also pays to think before you speak.

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Speaking on SEN this week with Gerard Whateley, AFL Hall of Fame legend Malcolm Blight quipped Greene ‘should never have been born’ due to a tougher interpretation of the studs up rule coming into play after Greene was accused of raising his boots in a manner deemed dangerous on a couple of occasions.

“I understand there’s going to be a fun side of footy and we don’t want to ever lose that but it’s really disappointing that Toby’s probably the brunt of those jokes for most of the time,” Cameron said.

GWS was left disappointed by Malcolm Blight’s comments about Toby Greene. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith.

“He gets pulled into anything, whether he’s playing whether he’s injured or whether he’s not.

“You’ve got to be really careful. You see a headline like that ‘shouldn’t have been born’. I understand there’s a fun side of it but what does his mother think.

“Toby’s a terrific young lad, He didn’t come up with the change of rule, it’s clearly not his decision. In fact he would love to be still doing it, playing in the manner he would like to be playing in but he’s had to adjust and he’s adjusted really, really well.

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“We back him any day of the week because he’s one of ours. It’s just disappointing that a stupid little headline like that pops up because someone says something that they think is funny about one of our players. People have just got to be a bit better than that.”

The Giants coach said it should be remembered there was pressure and stress on professional sportspeople to perform — Greene included.

“Unfortunately they probably angle in on Toby more than anyone because of whatever reason. Is he a player of interest, we understand that. He’s such a super player for us, a competitive player but deep down he’s a very very good human being.”

Toby Greene celebrates a goal with Lachie Whitfield. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding.

Cameron said he had spoken to Greene briefly.

“Toby’s as tough as old boots, he rolls with the punches,” the GWS coach said. “He knows that he’s going to be a player of interest because of the manner he plays the game. He plays with a hard edge and that’s why we love him so much. He’s one of ours and he’s going to be one of ours for the rest of his footy career.

“There’s no doubt he’s always going to put on a brave face but deep down there’s a human element too and we have to be a little bit careful when probably jumping into that space of mixing that fun and that side of the seriousness and the mental health side of it. As I said, disappointing but Toby will get on with it and play on Sunday.”

Originally published as Leon Cameron hits back at Malcolm Blight’s comments that Toby Greene ‘shouldn’t have been born’