Greene set for 50th AFL game after GWS ban

It’s come from a catalyst no coach could ever recommend, but Toby Greene finds himself in career-best form as the Greater Western Sydney midfielder prepares to play his 50th AFL match.

Greene was one of the Giants’ best in their last-start loss to Richmond, a career-high 10 tackles demonstrating his intent in the MCG clash.

It was the 20-year-old’s fourth game back since serving a club-imposed five-game ban, which followed a range of assault-related charges.

Greene will face court in September over those charges.

GWS coach Leon Cameron couldn’t be more impressed with how hard Greene has worked on and off the field to win back the club’s trust.

“We all have reality checks in our life. We have wake-up calls,” Cameron said on Wednesday.

“He’s responded like any good young kid that has got good values.

“He just put his head down, his bum up and he’s just done the work.

“He wants to win the respect of his players, his coaches, his family, and I think he’s done a fantastic job.

“I actually thought Toby handled it better than a lot of people when it happened.”

GWS co-captain Callan Ward said Greene had won back the respect of his peers, while Cameron said the on-baller’s attitude had been “outstanding”.

“He understood he did the wrong thing and he’s proving to everyone what a good person and good footballer he is,” Cameron added.

“He’s actually probably playing the best footy he’s played in his short time at the Giants.”

Greene will tick off the first milestone of his fledging AFL career on Saturday, when GWS host North Melbourne in their final match of the season at Canberra.

Ward said on Wednesday he had no regrets about the punishment handed out to Greene, which was criticised by the AFL Players’ Association and Greene’s manager at the time.

“I feel like we got it right,” Ward said.

“He’s realised since then that he really did stuff up.”

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