‘You can’t do that’: AFL bad boy’s stupid act likely ends finals campaign

Notorious AFL bad boy Toby Greene faces a major battle to prove his innocence at the tribunal after bumping into an umpire.

Greene was displeased with something during the third quarter. Source: FOX Footy

Toby Greene will likely find himself in hot water yet again for his actions at three-quarter time in the GWS Giants’ nailbiting 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73) win over the Sydney Swans.

The feisty star was mouthing off to umpire Matt Stevic at the break, and bumped into him as he made his way over to the sideline before the final term.

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The laws of the game state that any contact with an umpire that is deemed aggressive, forceful, demonstrative or disrespectful will be classified as intentional and the player will be directly referred to the tribunal.

Greene will face an uphill battle to prove his innocence as many on social media suggested the 27-year-old has likely ended his finals campaign with his brain snap.

Journalist Tom Steinfort tweeted: “Love Toby Greene but that’s a suspension every day of the week.”

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb couldn’t believe what he had seen. “Toby Greene … seriously mate. That’s just silly. You can’t bump into an umpire like that,” he wrote.

Radio presenter Sam Wilkinson tweeted: “Remains to be seen if the Giants hang on but if I’m Leon Cameron I’m fuming at Toby Greene. Looking at a suspension and likely to be a big distraction this week.”

However, Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury took a different perspective on the incident.

The Pies skipper tweeted: “Incoming Toby tax … Neale got fine didn’t he? Shouldn’t touch the umpires but that contact wasn’t more aggressive than Neales for mine.”

Toby Greene bumped into the umpire. Source: FOX Footy

Pendlebury referenced an incident between Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and umpire Matthew Nicholls earlier this year. Neale, the reigning Brownlow medallist, accidentally caught a knee to the head from Carlton’s Eddie Betts, which left the Lions star with a nasty gash in his forehead.

He hopped to his feet and complained to umpire Nicholls, and in doing so, made contact with the official’s arm. However, Neale was only fined $1500 after he took an early plea for making unnecessary or unreasonable contact.

Greene himself spoke about the incident after the game, and appeared adamant he made no physical contact with the umpire.

“I don’t know what it was,” Greene said. “I was just talking to him about something in the game.”

Giants coach Leon Cameron offered a blunt response when quizzed on the incident, and said: “All I know is, it wouldn’t have been intentional.”

The umpire was bemused that Greene bumped into him. Source: FOX Footy

Despite Greene’s incident, GWS hung on for a one-point victory against a fast-finishing Sydney team to send the Swans packing back to the Harbour City.

Greene is no stranger to controversy. Over the course of his career, he has copped over $26,000 in fines, and been charged and suspended multiple times.

In 2018, Greene accrued $5000 in fines from incidents in the Giants’ elimination final and semi-final. A year later, he was hit with a $7500 fine in his side’s elimination final and a one-week suspension from the semi-final, forcing him to watch the Giants’ maiden grand final appearance from the sidelines.

Originally published as ‘You can’t do that’: AFL bad boy’s stupid act likely ends finals campaign