Jeremy Cameron column: Why Toby Greene is misunderstood and my top Indigenous stars

Toby Greene copped flak in his earlier years but he is a fantastic person, except he is no good at golf, Jeremy Cameron writes.

Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron share a strong bond. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

If you asked me when I first met him whether Toby Greene would be an AFL captain one day, I would have said “no” 1000 times over.

But the kid I met in my early days at the GWS Giants has become a great leader and I’m looking forward to taking him on in his 200th game at home on Saturday.

Jeremy Cameron with Toby Greene. Picture. Phil Hillyard

I think people are pretty harsh on him and he is the complete opposite to what people think he would be like.

He is a really nice guy and one of my best mates.

I called him about a month ago when it looked like he was going to play his 200th at the MCG in round 9 and asked if I could sneak in the box with his family and friends for the game but he let me know he might miss a couple of weeks with injury and I realised the milestone would fall on us.

I know the Giants boys will get up for him.

Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene are great mates. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

All the talk about him early in his career with a couple of incidents he was part of was unfair, he is just a competitive guy who wants to win and stepped over the line a couple of times, which I have done myself.

I was pretty quiet when I first got to the Giants and Toby was really different to me and from then we just loved playing together.

He is a really loyal family man and friend, it feels like he has got hundreds of friends because people are just attracted to him outside of footy and I know if you asked people at other clubs they would love him on their team.

The pair shared a car during the 2019 grand final parade. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Toby is an incredible footy player but he is no good at golf.

Stephen Coniglio is the worst golfer I have seen but Toby isn’t too far behind and knowing him, if he sees that I have said that he will put the time in on the range to get better.

He loves reading the paper and having a coffee, so I’m sure he will find a copy of the Addy this week.

My best Indigenous stars

Before I go, we are pumped to carry on Sir Doug Nicholls Round at home on Saturday against the Giants.

The boys are pumped about how special this round is and a lot of us will be wearing specially made boots, done up by a few artists to mark the round.

My boots include fish and Macey’s name which is pretty special – I didn’t want to wear them at training this week in case I made them dirty.

Lance Franklin was an idol growing up. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

In keeping with the round, I thought I would list my favourite Indigenous players.

1 – Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin

I watched a lot of Buddy’s game and his ability to run hard back to goal was incredible in his prime, that is something in my game I really worked on.

It was a special moment to be on the ground when he kicked his 1000th goal last year.

2 – Adam Goodes

The way he could play so many positions was amazing and he was super clean in the midfield for a player of his size.

3 – Eddie Betts

It was amazing to pick Eddie’s brain and how he approaches footy when he was with us at the Cats last year. He broke our heats one game with one of his goals of the year against us at a crucial time when I was with the Giants, I try and enjoy those moments, even if it hurts you on the scoreboard.

Eddie Betts leads Cats training. Picture: Alan Barber

4 – Andrew McLeod

You still hear about how skilful he was even at training with his kicking. He played his best games at the biggest moments and won two Norm Smith medals.

5 – Michael O’Loughlin

I watched a fair bit of him as a youngster given he was a forward. Who could forget that image of him giving it to the West Coast fans after kicking a goal.

6 – Cyril Rioli

Isaac Smith tells me stories of the things Cyril did at training, he could change a game with only a couple of touches.

Originally published as Jeremy Cameron column: Why Toby Greene is misunderstood and my top Indigenous stars