Giants star Tom Green talks basketball, Saints final, premiership drive

Tom Green is always in the thick of it for the Giants, and the rising young superstar will have to do so again if his team are to go on the road and cause another finals upset.

Tom Green was one of the best for the Giants’ in their elimination final win over St Kilda. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Tom Green has proven time and again how dangerous he can be on a footy field.

He finished with 35 touches in the Giants’ elimination final win over St Kilda — a new record for the most possessions by a GWS player in a finals match.

Confidence has always been a trademark of the 22-year-old’s game, but according to his teammates, it also translates to the basketball hoop at the back of Giants’ HQ.

“I’m glad that’s coming up,” Green laughed.

Asked whether he’s a better basketballer or footballer, he takes the safe option and sticks with his employer. But he wants the record to reflect that he backs himself in both.

“If we can say that it’s at least a discussion, that gives some people an insight into my basketball ability,” he said.

“I am the best basketballer at the club. To be fair, I don’t think that’s that big of a claim, I don’t think there are many good basketballers here.

How would he go in a one-on-one with prime Scott Pendlebury? “Not sure about his prime … I’d like to think now I’d have him.”

Green works just as hard at training as he does on the field. Picture: Phil Hillyard

When Green talks, he speaks with the conviction of a footy veteran.

Only in his fourth year of footy, he exudes leadership potential and knows that there is now pressure on him to lift in the massive occasions.

The Giants have never been short of big names. Coniglio. Kelly. Whitfield. Their midfield has emanated star power for the best part of a decade with high-end draft picks developing into elite players.

But Green is now at the top of the list. He’s the number one ball-winner in the competition and carries that burden into every game.

Yet, he wouldn’t want it any other way. And his performance against the Saints shows he’s ready to take that mantle with both hands.

“Given that we were playing in a final and with context like that, it was one of my better performances for the year and it’s something I’m certainly proud of,” Green said.

“The best players do perform well in big finals. That’s where you earn a rep as one of the best players and you want to earn that rep … I feel like every single player wants to.”

Green is No. 1 in the AFL for disposals (32.3) and contested possessions (14.9) a game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Green was named in the 44-man All-Australian squad a fortnight ago on the back of another brilliant campaign but wasn’t able to force his way into the final team.

In case he needed any more motivation heading into the finals, that provided it in spades.

“It was nice to make the squad, but it was disappointing not to make the actual team,” Green said.

“You move on from that quickly and we have a finals campaign to attack. [But] I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t extra motivation for not only the rest of the year, but to put on some good performances and show that I’m good enough to be in that side.”

Green’s youthfulness means he attacks everything gung-ho. He’s never afraid to put his body on the line and his physicality is beyond his years.

But importantly for the Giants, he has earned his teammates’ trust. He might talk a big game, but he absolutely backs it up on the field.

“He’s got real confidence in his ability, and I walk alongside him taller because of that,” Josh Kelly said.

“I mean, he’s a bull. He’s a great player, he makes us a better team and I think he does love the big stage.”

Green’s teammates know they’re a far better side for having him in the team. Picture: Phil Hillyard

As a kid, Green grew up in Canberra dreaming of playing in games like he did against St Kilda at the MCG. He will have another chance to silence a parochial crowd against Port Adelaide this Saturday.

And that childhood desire of wanting to be the best is what will continue to drive him, and hopefully the Giants, to premiership glory.

“I love that I get to come in and spend time with 40 of my best mates and get to kick a football around for a living,” Green said. “It is a privilege and I’m super grateful. It’s one thing I hope I never lose.

“I have things I want to achieve in my career. And the number one … however long my career goes for, I want to win that many premierships.

“That’s why this finals run is so exciting. Because any time you’re in finals you give yourself a chance.”

Originally published as Giants star Tom Green talks basketball, Saints final, premiership drive