GWS Giants' Toby Greene slapped with ban over 'disgraceful' act
Toby Greene has reportedly been offered a one-match ban from the AFL Match Review Officer, according to the Herald Sun.
Veteran football journalist Mark Robinson reported the controversial GWS Giants star had been banned for one match on 3AW on Sunday afternoon.
Robinson said Greene had been charged with ‘unreasonable and unnecessary contact to the eyes’, stemming from an incident with Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale.
Greene attracted heavy scrutiny in the wake of the Giants’ thrilling three-point victory over Brisbane on Saturday night.
Robbo: "He has been charged with unreasonable and unnecessary contact to the eyes." https://t.co/ZIhAGrc8zo
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) September 15, 2019
The Giants midfielder was on top of Neale after the Lions star was tackled, with replays showing Greene appear to move his hand towards Neale’s face as he lay on the ground.
The pack dispersed as play resumed, but Neale remained on the ground, appearing to be in pain.
Asked about the incident on Channel 7 after the game, Greene was quick to play down any contact.
“There was a bit of heat in the game. It is what it is, we’ll see what they say,” Greene said.
“But I didn’t think there was too much in it.”
Fans fume over Greene’s ‘dog act’
Furious fans took a much grimmer view of it, insisting the AFL needed to make an example of a player with an extensive rap sheet of indiscretions.
#AFLLionsGiants it's time to give the full suspension to Toby Greene. What an absolute dog act. Looks around for the umpires and then eye gouges @lachieneale but it's the team that couldn't sign @stephenconiglio without the AFL paying him 65% of his new contract so he'll get off
— Rick Janetzki (@RickJanetzki) September 14, 2019
Toby Greene is a snake in the grass, deserved suspension last week, playing just as dirty this week. Hope he NEVER wins a GF and same for rest of the show ponies at GWS. Support anyone against them! #AFLLionsGiants
— Joanne Watson (@JoWatto17) September 14, 2019
Looks like Toby Greene has targeted a player’s face on the ground again with his fingers. An absolute blight on the game #afllionsgiants
— Rohanct (@RohanCT) September 14, 2019
The tribunal look set for a busy week, with Geelong certain to challenge Tom Hawkins' one-game striking ban.
Greene was high among the Giants' best players.
But only umpire Ray Chamberlain rivalled him for boos from the pro-Lions crowd.
Greene was referred to the tribunal, pleaded guilty and fined $7500 last week for misconduct against Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli, including making contact with his face.