Toby Greene facing ban after wild incident

GWS star Toby Greene has been slammed for a wild incident against the Western Bulldogs, that could see him miss a final.

Screen grab of GWS Toby Greene kicking Western Bulldogs Luke Dahlhaus in the face

GREATER Western Sydney have strengthened their grip on a top-two finish with an emphatic 48-point AFL win over the Western Bulldogs.

The Giants led a see-sawing contest on Friday night by four points at halftime then surged to a 16.9 (105) to 7.15 (57) win at Etihad Stadium on the back of six unanswered goals in the third quarter.

But midfielder Toby Greene found himself in hot water yet again, and was reported for the third time this season.

The GWS star was pulled up for rough conduct, following a “karate kick” on Western Bulldogs player Luke Dahlhaus.

Green took possession while striking out with his boot to the face of the Dogs’ player while in the air. Dahlhaus was left bleeding after the incident and was rushed from the ground.

Toby Greene was reported following this passage of play. #AFLDogsGiants pic.twitter.com/shNZAuk7y4

— AFL (@AFL) August 11, 2017

On-field incidents continue to spark debate, as Patrick Dangerfield and Brodie Grundy have both been suspended in recent weeks for making contact with the head and injuring opponents.

AFL legend Paul Roos condemned the actions of Greene, who could now miss the first week of the finals, given his poor judiciary record.

“Why are we even debating it?,” Roos told Fox Footy.

“That’s not a football action. He has to go for something, you cannot allow that to happen on a football field.

“If it’s a marking contest your able to protect yourself, and to be fair, it’s unlikely the guy is going to charge at you — that’s not a natural football act. There has to be consequences.”

Toby Greene of the Giants signals to the umpire that he was going for a mark after an incident.

But fellow AFL legend Dermot Brereton defended Greene, saying the player was simply trying to protect himself, but got it wrong.

“If that’s Zaine Cordy running at him, he gets him in the chest,” Brereton said.

“Do we have anything to talk about? I’ve been to enough tribunals, they take height into it.”

“You can mark and put your boot in the back on somebody.

“If someone is running at you with the flight on the ball, you can put your knee straight into their throat. That’s legal.”

Greene will now be at the mercy of the match review panel.

If it’s ruled as intentional and medium impact it is a three week suspension, meaning he will miss the first week of the finals. Careless and medium impact would be a two week suspension.

Social media was certainly mixed on the incident.

Toby Greene:

If it's not deemed accidental, it's careless conduct with medium impact to the head = 2 weeks (bad record). #afldogsgiants

— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) August 11, 2017

Foot to the face ain't a free kick let alone reportable. Bit like Ash scampi standing on heads taking hangers 😂

— Nic Naitanui (@RealNaitanui) August 11, 2017

That was interesting,foot to head is a free kick but if it was knee would it have been? Never seen that before, initial thought was play on

— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) August 11, 2017

Not sure if Toby Greene or Eric Cantona. Both talented, both polarising #AFLBulldogsGiants pic.twitter.com/nICL5Ohh6c

— Patrick Keam (@patkeam) August 11, 2017

I'm not sure if this is a popular call - but I think Toby Greene gets off. He has been reported for rough conduct.

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) August 11, 2017

A couple of effective kicks there for Toby Greene

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) August 11, 2017

Outside of the Greene incident, GWS were impressive. Jonathon Patton set the tone early with three first-quarter goals — he finished with four — as the visitors established a 10-point lead at the first break.

The Bulldogs managed to snatch the momentum back in a blistering opening to the second quarter, but wasted their dominance with wasteful kicking for goal. Luke Beveridge’s men led the inside-50 count 18-1 at one stage, but only managed 3.6 for the term to trail by four points at halftime.

Dylan Shiel (30 possessions), Josh Kelly (25 disposals and two goals) and Stephen Coniglio (25 touches) were important as the Giants made their move in the third.

Greene, who was loudly booed by most of the 30,672 fans throughout, booted his second goal shortly after his clash with Dahlhaus.

Players remonstrate with Toby Greene of the Giants after an incident with Luke Dahlhaus.

Kelly added two of his own in the telling quarter as GWS leapt out to a 38-point lead at the last change.

With the sting out of the game, Tory Dickson scored the Bulldogs’ first goal of the second half, 24 minutes into the final term, but it was far too little too late.

- With AAP

Originally published as Toby Greene facing ban after wild incident