Toby Greene kicks matchwinner at the death to sink Swans in Sydney Derby

Toby Greene has done it again, with the GWS Giants captain downing the Sydney Swans with a superb last-gasp matchwinner.

Giants Toby Greene celebrates kicking a goal during the Sydney Derby XXV match between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants at the SCG on April 29, 2023. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - ©Phil Hillyard )

He’s the heartbeat of the GWS Giants and one of the AFL’s biggest matchwinners and Toby Greene demonstrated exactly why with a mesmerising snap in the final minute to secure one of the Giants best wins in recent times — a 17.5 (107) to 16.10 (106) victory over the Sydney Swans in the derby at the SCG.

The Giants skipper’s fourth goal of the game showed exactly why he was named as the stand-alone captain for 2023, producing a moment few others in the competition can muster.

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The snap from the pocket, over his shoulder on a tight angle, also helped secure him the Brett Kirk Medal for best on ground as the Giants chased down a 24 point lead from the Swans late on for their biggest victory under new coach Adam Kingsley.

Greene with the match winner!

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Social media was in meltdown over the last-ditch effort.

ESPN’s Rohan Connolly called Greene a “pretty amazing footballer”, while footy writer Ronny Lerner called him “the personification of clutch”.

The Battle of the Bridge defeat is one the Swans will rue enormously as they gave up a four-goal buffer in the last term to leave their bid to get back to the Grand Final this season in tatters.

The loss in front of over 31,000 people at the SCG is their third in four games and follows the 93-point hammering dished out by Geelong last week.

Toby Greene received the Brett Kirk medal from Swans assistant Brett Kirk (right). Photo by Phil Hillyard

John Longmire’s men seemed to have the game wrapped up late with another sensational derby performance from Luke Parker helping them overturn a 10 point halftime deficit to hold a big lead in the last quarter.

Ruckman Peter Ladhams and Buddy Franklin with three goals were excellent for the Swans as well but this Giants team continue to show plenty of fight and they refused to give in when all seemed lost.

Two majors from the excellent Harry Perryman, one from outside 50, helped claw them back into the game in the final quarter, setting things up for Greene to do what he does best and win a game of football off his own boot.

Agony for the Swans, ecstasy for the Giants. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Buddy Franklin returned to his old ways for the Swans, and while his three goals weren’t quite enough, his impact was profound and his massive mark and goal in the second term showed he has still has plenty of magic left.

Jack Buckley has a tough job marshalling the giants backline without Sam Taylor there and started well, but Buddy won out as he so often does.

There’s no love lost between the two Sydney sides and a halftime melee demonstrated that.

Just as it was starting to simmer, Toby Greene ran in and through Callum Mills to the ground sparking an all-in push and shove that may see some fines issued from the MRO.

As per usual Greene had a say in matters, his final minute intervention was far more powerful.

Originally published as Toby Greene kicks matchwinner at the death to sink Swans in Sydney Derby