Toby Greene has gone from GWS Giants bad boy to All-Australian bolter

AT last Toby Greene’s list of footballing honours is drawing level with his rap sheet. The former bad boy was the All-Australian bolter on Thursday night.

Toby Greene celebrates a goal against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Phil Hillyard

AT last Toby Greene’s list of footballing honours is drawing level with his rap sheet.

The former bad boy was the bolter in the All-Australian team named in Melbourne on Thursday night.

It’s a mile away from the headlines which were being written about him just two years ago when he was arrested following an incident at a hotel where he tangled with security.

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He was fined $2500 as a result, followed by another $5000 penalty and a five-match suspension from the Giants.

Before that there was a drink driving charge and a clash with bouncers in Hawaii after former teammate Setanta O’hAilpin’s wedding.

His footballing redemption may have been a long time coming but it was worth the wait.

Toby Greene has proved himself as a high-half-forward this year. Picture: Peter Wallis

“It’s taken a while for me to understand what level I need to be at in terms of professionalism in the AFL,” Greene told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s been a slow learning process but I think I’ve been able to improve that in the last few years. I had to grow up. You can’t keep mucking up your whole life. My football career is something I don’t take for granted now.”

Just seven months after the brawl at the Caulfield Hotel GWS offered Greene a new three-year deal.

Not surprisingly he didn’t hesitate to sign it and has been doing his best to repay his club’s faith.

He’s finished in the top 10 in the Kevin Sheedy Medal the last two years and All Australian honours have come after a stunning conversion from a midfielder to small forward kicking 39 goals for the season so far.

“It feels a bit weird being called an All Australian it will take some getting used to,” Greene said.

Toby Greene celebrates a Giants win with fans.

“It’s a massive honour to be named in that team with so many superstar players. It’s something I definitely didn’t expect at the start of the season. I was just worried about getting a game.”

It’s not often an All Australian player gets dropped but Greene revealed he came close at the start of the season after a shocker in the season opening loss to Melbourne at the MCG.

“I was pretty close to not playing in round two,” Greene said.

“Leon had a word with me and said you’re in your fifth year and it’s not what we expect of you, I had to respond.”

Greene’s selection along with Heath Shaw gave GWS multiple All Australians for the first time. Tom Scully, Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio were named in the extended squad.

Originally published as Toby Greene has gone from GWS Giants bad boy to All-Australian bolter