Fury as Greene's studs-up kick goes unpunished
Fans are blowing up after Giants star Toby Greene went unpunished despite kicking out at a Swans player while attempting a mark.
Late in the Giants’ big 10.19 (79) to 4.6 (30) elimination final victory over cross-town rivals the Swans , Greene kicked his foot out to push away Sydney player Nic Newman, studs first.
Newman was clearly in pain as Greene pushed away and took the mark.
Fans and commentators alike were amazed the umpires didn’t call a free kick, and called on the AFL to change the rules to rub out such a tactic.
How is Toby Greene allowed to get away with kicking his opponent every time he goes for a mark. #disgraceful #AFLSwansGiants #AFLFinals
— Michele C (@MicheleC30) September 8, 2018
Toby Greene is just out here straight up kicking blokes. If that’s legal the rules need to be looked at. #AFLSwansGiants
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) September 8, 2018
Harf: "I wouldn't mind betting that they'll be a recommendation by the umpiring department during the week that the don't want to see that."
Tim: "What Toby Greene just did is a disgrace."#AFLSwansGiants
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) September 8, 2018
Plough: "There has to be a ruling that doesn't allow someone to do what Toby Greene is doing"#AFLSwansGiants
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) September 8, 2018
No doubt Toby Greene is a star on the way to being a super but gee he is going to do some real damage one day as there is no doubt he deliberately try’s to kick the defending players to gain an advantage
It looks awful @camluke @marinkovrlic @DavisNick_2— Richard Callander (@richieplz) September 8, 2018
Nope. Toby Greene’s kicking players out of way is a free kick every time. @AFL looking for a rule change? #AFLSwansGiants
— Chris Bartlett (@bartman6) September 8, 2018
Liam Flanagan: "If you want to know what brand of boot Toby Greene wears, just check Nic Newman's stomach!" #AFLSwansGiants #AFLFinals
— Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) September 8, 2018
Studs up is like having a weapon. A straight red card in soccer. Stop I now Afl.
— RCanna (@canna82) September 8, 2018
@AFL needs to STOP the sticking the boot out at oncoming players (see Toby Greene). It is unsportsmanlike, dangerous and ugly. Rub out players who do this. Get them to use their strength and skill not their boot studs.
— mon (@monicabunk) September 8, 2018
Otherwise Greene starred for the Giants in their dominant victory.
It just had to be Toby
On a day when intra-city bragging rights were a distant second to advancing in the AFL finals, GWS Giants talisman Toby Greene made a stunning comeback from a hamstring injury.
He headed his side’s scoresheet, kicking 3.3 in their 49-point elimination final win over Sydney at the SCG to help secure only his club’s second victory in seven visits to the ground.
The Giants haven’t lost a game this season when Green has played, winning seven and drawing one.
At one stage in the final quarter, Greene had kicked more goals than the entire Sydney side
He also contributed 27 disposals and nine marks.
Greene played with typical swagger and determination and underlined why many people considered him to be the Giants’ most influential player.
That was probably emphasised as they won handsomely despite playing without star midfielder Josh Kelly for most of the game.
How good was this man tonight!? Built for September footy. #AFLSwansGiants pic.twitter.com/vyfxoWjM7W
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 8, 2018
Greene added some sizzle and menace to the Giants forward line, pushing away a defender and snapping accurately in the first quarter.
Set shot goals in the third and fourth quarters added to his goal tally, but he had good scoring support from key forwards Jeremy Cameron and Harry Himmelberg, each of whom bagged a brace of goals.
Another forward returning form injury, Matt de Boer also booted a goal.
The Giants are through to a semi-final. But who will they be facing?#AFLEaglesPies is up next! #7AFL pic.twitter.com/pFXixxyffL
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 8, 2018
At the other end it was tale of misery for Sydney with Lance Franklin held goalless by Phil Davis.
With AAP
