GWS want Toby Greene to stay on the edge as they try to hand barnstorming Brisbane a straight-sets AFL finals exit.
All eyes will be on Greene in Saturday night’s semi-final against the Lions at the Gabba after his direct referral to the tribunal at the start of the week.
He escaped suspension, but was fined $7500 after pleading guilty to misconduct against Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli.
While the Gaints don’t want him suspended, they need Greene’s grunt and aggression.
“He’s going to get in there, no doubt,” said assistant coach Lenny Hayes.
“With what happened … he came out, he apologised, he understands he went a little bit too far and he copped his right whack.
“From that moment on, we’ve moved on. We love the way he goes about it.
“Every now and again, does he step over the line a little bit? Yeah, he does – but it’s also finals footy, the loser’s out, so we’re going to bring it”.
The Giants mauled the Western Bulldogs last week, while the Lions lost their qualifying final to Richmond.
Physical pressure should not be a problem for Brisbane, who finished second on the ladder.
They stood up superbly when Port Adelaide went after them physically in round 17.
Coach Chris Fagan and veteran defender Luke Hodge hail from Hawthorn, the home of unsociable football, and the young Lions should cope with whatever GWS throw at them.
The much bigger issues for Brisbane after their loss to Richmond is poise.
Brisbane had plenty of chances, especially in the crucial second term, but they only managed 8.17 and the experienced Tigers took full toll of their wasteful goalkicking.
“It just showed in finals football, you need to make the most of your opportunities – but full credit to Brisbane, who were able to create plenty of opportunities against a really good side,” Hayes said.
“There’s no doubt Brisbane would have looked at that, saying ‘we did a lot right, we just didn’t capitalise”.
“Conversely, we’re going to have to make the most of our opportunities.”