AFL makes huge call on Toby Greene’s suspension

The AFL has made a huge call on GWS star Toby Greene’s three-game suspension that could have massive ramifications for both parties.

Toby Greene won’t play again in 2021. Picture: Rob Blakers/Getty Images

The AFL has confirmed it will appeal GWS Giants star Toby Greene’s three-game suspension for intentional umpire contact.

Greene came into contact with umpire Matt Stevic at three-quarter time during the Giants’ elimination final against the Sydney Swans and was given the three-game ban on Tuesday.

In a statement, the AFL confirmed the competition’s general manager of football operations Andrew Dillon would contest Greene’s suspension.

“The AFL Tribunal found that Greene’s contact with the umpire was intentional and that it was also aggressive, disrespectful, and demonstrative,” the statement read

“On that basis, Mr Dillon said the AFL had appealed the three-game suspension on the ground that the sanction imposed was manifestly inadequate.

“Mr Dillon reinforced that respect for umpires and the safety of umpires in our game is what our sport is built on and must be protected. As the keeper of the code, the AFL has a responsibility to act in the interests of all in the sport.”

The Giants asked for the appeal hearing to take place once the season had wrapped up, to which the AFL agreed.

However, as part of the agreement, the club cannot appeal the three-game suspension already in place for Greene.

The AFL will appeal Toby Greene’s three-game suspension. Picture: Rob Blakers/Getty Images

Conversations about Greene changing his behaviour have been put on the backburner by a “disappointed” GWS captain Stephen Coniglio because the Giants have to win a final without their best player.

Greene was suspended for three games, effectively the rest of the season, on Tuesday following his bump with umpire Matt Stevic in Tasmania last weekend that continued an all-too-familiar run of indiscretions at important times for the club.

The superstar forward also missed a preliminary final in 2019, which GWS won, and his tribunal record of 22 charges across his 10-year AFL career has put his behaviour in the spotlight.

Congilio revealed the frantic nature of their Tuesday, which included travel from Launceston to Perth after Greene’s tribunal hearing, pushed any chance of a long conversation about the outcome to one side.

The skipper said everyone accepted the outcome, declaring “you simply can’t do” what Greene did and the AFL has chosen to appeal the three-week ban, which AFL boss Gillon McLachlan thought was inadequate.

There will be chats between the captain and his teammate and club officials too about remorseful Greene’s need to change. But they will have to wait.

“We have a game in 48 hours to put all our energy into. In terms of chatting about future stuff, we can do that after the game or next week or whenever, ” Coniglio said on Wednesday.

Greene walked into umpire Matt Stevic, as proven by a new angle.

“We accept the punishment he’s been given. Toby himself has shown remorse for his actions and to the umpire. We simply can’t do that in our game. We hold the umpires in such high regard and treat them with a lot of respect.

“We are definitely disappointed he won’t be running out with us. We have to accept it’s not allowed in our game.

”I’m thinking of him, and when the time is right, if he needs anything, my phone is always on, and if he wants to com and have a chat he can.

Coniglio revealed he didn’t even see the incident in Launceston amid suggestions Greene’s teammates could have done more to avert the incident.

“I got asked that after the game and a couple of us weren’t even sure … there’s a lot happening out there and to pick up on everything is quite difficult,” he said.

“For me personally, and a number of other guys, we just missed this one.”

Greene will remain with the Giants, who would progress to a preliminary final clash with Port Adelaide should they win this week.

Coniglio said Greene, an All-Australian this season, still had much to offer the Giants.

Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene celebrate a Giants goal. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

“He’s a vice-captain for a reason, he’s obviously disappointed in himself, but he got up this morning and he’s back up, his energy is back up,” he said.

“For our younger guys … he has so much experience and just having him around the ground, whether it be in training or in conversations, he’ll play a part in that for sure.

“The whole season has been one of facing a lot of adversity, whether it be through injury or suspension.

“We’ve been on the road for 10 weeks and found energy off that, and our last five weeks has shown whatever is thrown in our face … our last few weeks have been phenomenal.

“For me as captain, seeing what we couldn’t do last year to what we can do this year has been special.”

McLachlan didn’t rule out the league appealing the Greene verdict after it was handed down on Monday.

“If I’m honest, I find it hard, personally, to reconcile how it can be intentional conduct that was aggressive, demonstrative and disrespectful – it was found to be all of those things – and then only be three weeks,” he said.

“As the CEO of the league, I’m saying to community leagues and others that I find the decision perplexing.

“I’ve spoken to the lawyers about our appeal rights clearly. They’re looking at that at the moment.

“We won’t muck around. You don’t appeal lightly, so we’ll get some advice, contextualise it all, and make a decision as quick as we can.”

Originally published as AFL makes huge call on Toby Greene’s suspension