GWS to lose star Toby Greene after Isaac Heeney head knock, set to miss Dogs clash
GWS will go into a finals-shaping clash against the Bulldogs on Thursday night without superstar Toby Greene, who was involved in a number of incidents against the Swans.
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Giants superstar Toby Greene has received a one-match suspension for the forearm to Isaac Heeney’s head in the fiery Sydney derby on Friday night.
He will miss one of the Giants’ biggest games of the year on Thursday night against its other rival, Western Bulldogs, for the blow on Heeney in the first term.
The clash against the Dogs will have massive top-eight ramifications for both clubs with the fifth-placed Giants (52 points) and the eight-placed Dogs (44 points) both locked in the same tussle for a finals berth.
His absence will be a major blow as Greene is one of the best forwards in the AFL and was instrumental in the second half of the thrilling GWS comeback win over the Swans at Engie Stadium.
But Greene’s unnecessary hit on Heeney was graded intentional conduct, high contact and low impact under the AFL’s match review guidelines due to the league’s strong stance on brain injuries.
The incident comes after a week of intense debate over the three-match Steven May penalty which has been appealed by Melbourne.
But the MRO determined the Greene hit warranted a one-match ban even though Heeney was uninjured and continued to play on Friday night.
Importantly, Heeney was in a defenceless position on the ground and was completely vulnerable when Greene came in with his left arm to the side of Heeney’s head.
Greene appeared frustrated after only moments earlier being shrugged off by Heeney.
The pair have shared an intense rivalry in Sydney as two of the faces of their clubs.
Greene also has one of the longest rap sheets in the game but he has been on his best behaviour this season.
The Dogs are at risk of losing touch with the eight if they lose to GWS on Thursday night as Gold Coast have jumped ahead after they upset Brisbane on Saturday.
The Giants could also lose Jack Buckley and Josh Kelly to calf injuries.
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Originally published as GWS to lose star Toby Greene after Isaac Heeney head knock, set to miss Dogs clash
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