AFL 2022: GWS Giants recruit Toby Bedford chases opportunity and fresh start after leaving Melbourne

Toby Bedford was the medical substitute on 10 occasions this past season, so there is one thing he was looking for when he chose his new club.

Toby Bedford poses for a photograph after he moved from the Melbourne Demons to the GWS Giants (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Giants recruit Toby Bedford just wants to play.

After only two appearances in three years, the 22-year-old forward added 16 more this year – but anyone who followed him knows that number is deceiving.

The AFL awards medical substitutes a match towards players’ career tallies, and Bedford started with that status 10 times in 2022.

Greater Western Sydney knew a fair way out that Bobby Hill was leaving and experienced a small forward shortage throughout the season when Toby Greene was suspended and Brent Daniels missed through injury.

Giants football and list boss Jason McCartney picked up the phone midway through the year and dialled Bedford’s agent Matt Bain’s number.

Everything snowballed from there, with Bedford eventually choosing GWS over a three-year offer from his old club Melbourne and interest from North Melbourne, Essendon, West Coast and Gold Coast.

“It was a bit stressful at the start but I’m very excited now and I can’t wait to get to Sydney,” Bedford told News Corp.

“I went up there two weeks ago now and had a look around and loved it, so it is sad leaving Melbourne – I’ve been here for the last four years – but I’m so excited to get up there, meet everyone and get started up there.

Toby Bedford poses for a photograph after he moved from the Melbourne Demons to the GWS Giants (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“Basically, what it came down to was opportunity. This was my fourth year and I’ve played only a handful of AFL games, so it was opportunity and trying to kickstart my career and play a lot more AFL football.”

Giants co-captains Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio wined and dined Bedford over pizza in Sydney a fortnight ago, with new coach Adam Kingsley also pitching to the ex-Demon.

There is a clearer path to senior games at GWS, but Bedford said he was taking nothing for granted and still needed to “earn” his senior berth.

“I’m more than happy to go to any club and work hard and earn my spot and hopefully that means I play regularly in the side,” he said.

“I just liked the sound of starting fresh, going to a new club with a new coach, who sounds like he’s got a really exciting game plan, and then also a team that I can hopefully fit right into and play good football.”

Bedford’s game revolves around speed, pressure, selflessness and goal nous and he’s particularly keen to get to work with Greene.

“He’s an unreal player and just a great leader on the field,” he said.

“I love the way he goes about it. He’s obviously very tough on the field and it’s something I try and base my game off as well – being quite tough.

“I can’t wait to play alongside him.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: GWS Giants recruit Toby Bedford chases opportunity and fresh start after leaving Melbourne