The only thing more repulsive than Toby Greene’s action on Luke Dahlhaus was the pathetic response from the AFL Match Review Panel.
The MRP has doubled down on its own stupidity and plumbed rarely before seen depths of ignorance, in handing out a $1500 fine for misconduct against Greene.
Greene savagely and brutally launched his foot, studs first, into the face of Dahlhaus in last Friday night’s clash between GWS and the Western Bulldogs. It wasn’t so much a kick, as a mid-air face-stomp. It’s one of the rare tribunal incidents that looks worse on full speed replay than it does in slow motion.
The Giants were running the ball from half-back and along the wing with a chain of handballs. Greene was facing the teammate he was receiving the ball from, Nick Haynes, and also the incoming Dahlhaus, who was looking to apply pressure.
Haynes put up the handball to a stationary Greene, who despite no need for it, jumped to take the ball. It’s hard to argue that taking possession was his primary focus in this incident. It appeared to be a happy accident. His main intent for jumping was so he could launch his foot towards the oncoming Dahlhaus, and plant it as firmly as he could in his face.
Once his studs are planted in the face of Dahlhaus, Greene takes special care to get leverage, and forcefully extend his leg in order to inflict as much damage as he can. It’s the action of someone who wants to do harm, and has thought about it in the few seconds of lead up.
One of the most common assessments of Toby Greene the footballer is how canny he is, how smart. He is particularly praised for these attributes in one-on-one contests, both in the air and on the ground.
One of Greene’s key traits is the ability to use his body to best advantage, judging the ball and his opponent. Few make better use of space, judgement and their own physical attributes. It is laughable to suggest that none of this translates to the contest with Dahlhaus.
Defenders of Greene, and there have been many, argue that he was merely protecting the space in front of him with his leg. Superficially, this is true. It was one of the things he was doing.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
But protecting the space in front of you when stationary is a different action to purposefully jumping at a ball with your foot outstretched towards a vulnerable opponents face.
Leigh Matthews, on Melbourne radio on Saturday, said he had never quite seen anything like it in his time in football. This speaks to what an unnatural action it was. This was actually more evidence against it being an accident. It’s impossible to accidentally face-stomp an opponent in mid-air the way Greene did. There’s a reason we haven’t seen it before.
Greene’s history speaks to his intent in an action such as this. He deserves no benefit of the doubt.
The MRP should have graded the action as intentional and high, and sent it straight to the tribunal. Let Greene, a career recidivist, argue his way out of it.
Tom Hawkins can’t even shake hands with an opponent without getting suspended. He should use his feet next time, and send his bloody opponent off for some stitches.
Frank Ross
Guest
The MRP has to assess the facts of the situation against the rules. Unlike you, Cameron Rose and your fellow witch hunters they cannot read minds, make allegations combining delusions of omnipotence with prejudice and then condemn the person with ridicule. Instead of playing God, why not go with the ref and keep playing/enjoying the game?
Razzar
Guest
Measured words Gordon. Greene flys for ball, yet Cam accuses Greene of a type of stomp to the face. Utter rubbish Cam, no secondary action by Greene. Unless your judging Greene's twist in the air for his movement towards his goal end. Please no embellishment in future.
Cat
Roar Guru
You expect consistency from the mrp? Must not be paying attention to anything the mrp has ever done, they've never been consistent except in their inconsistency.
MissionMan
Guest
Okay, saw this on twitter...isn't this Toby Greene doing exactly the same thing so clearly not a once off, and what I find interesting is that he actually turns to aim his foot at the player running. I.e. this is 100% intentional to hit the player. What this means is the MRP cannot claim it was accidental and that he didn't see the player. He clearly saw the player, clearly put his foot out towards the player so the kick is intentional. https://twitter.com/oatiegoodness/status/897650936742588421
MissionMan
Guest
How can it be? The MRP set the benchmark so low that if anyone else does it, they know all they will get is a fine. They didn't even come out afterwards to say "this is just a warning, if it happens again it will be a x game suspension" If I was the eagles, I would be jumping with studs exposed every time Toby came within 5m of me because at worst it's a $1500 fine
Julian Noel
Guest
One does not need a Freudian sense of analysis, nor a sharply honed sense of conspiracy... a smattering of skill and experience on the footy field will awaken your peripheral vision... he knew exactly what he was doing. If you are so shallow you cannot read intent into this and his past acts.... perhaps a visit to an analyst to develop your EQ could serve you well?
MissionMan
Guest
I've played state level 1 (below this league) in other sports and my peripheral vision was good enough to see the player coming whilst watching a ball travelling in excess of 100km/h. In AFL, they do training specifically for peripheral vision, to say he didn't know what he was doing or never saw Dalhaus coming is incorrect.
Seano
Roar Rookie
You can't judge people differently, it's silly.
Boots
Guest
he knew he was there, that was an unnatural leg action, aimed deliberately at Dailhaus, watch his leg come down, its an awkward manouvre, why would you do something so unnecessary, unless you were trying to do something else like take out the opponent!
rasty
Guest
We are in Australia mate. Please spell like an Aussie. Colour not color!
Danel
Guest
I agree with your statements. The match review committee is a joke. They fine a player who causes an opponent to leave the field with blood srtreaming down his face from a kick to the face, & in the same match give a player 2 weeks for a push/ slight strike to the chest or neck. The player receiving the push does not even leave the field. Although opinion is divided on Green, all polls I have viewed more than 50% of participants agree Green should have been given weeks away from the game. It's about time the match review committee face tha facts they continue to fail the "pub test"
Frank Ross
Guest
Cameron Rose claims to have special insight into the mind and motivations of Toby Green, claiming he was conspiring to kick Dalhaus during a high speed handball transition. Like Shaun Burgoyne says there was nothing in it: the game is too fast, players play on instinct and accidents happen in contact sport. People like Rose who see conspiracies behind accidents are in the same league as witch-hunters, racists and religious fundamentalists. Thankfully the witch hunt against Green by second rate fans of other clubs and pseudo Freudian commentators has been ignored by the Match Review Panel. Cheers, Frank
Razzar
Guest
The MRP got this decision right Barton. And overall they mostly do. Deep breaths Barton.
XI
Roar Guru
Honestly, the way this is written I'm amazed you didn't scrawl a twirly moustache and top hat on the photo.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Yes the MRP got it wrong again in a decision with the poor maligned and misunderstood victim in all this, Toby Green. Twice he has gone to the MRP on trumped up charges against 2 of the most physically intimidating Bulldog players who both used their heads in an effort to paint him as some sort of psychopathic bully boy. First Caleb “angel face” Daniel had the audacity to head-but Toby’s fist with his helmet when Toby, as the ball player he is, was just trying to hit the ball, luckily Toby’s hand is OK - MRP conned badly on that one. Now we have that other little Bulldog pest Luke “choirboy” Dalhaus getting off with what was a deliberate attempted trip (and Toby feared an attempt to tunnel him) while Toby was leaping bravely for the handball. Luckily when Dalhaus managed to bite onto one of Toby’s boot stops Toby had sufficient athleticism and peripheral vision (as his main focus was still the ball – all the experts attest to that) to be able to push his leg straight and pivoting masterfully against Dalhaus’s face pirouette gracefully in the air and deliver a perfect hand ball to his team mate. Sadly the umpire was conned (these little bulldogs do it all the time just look at all the comments from opposition supporters) saw the blood and gave a free kick against and reported Toby for rough play – at least the MRP saw it was the choirboy who was at fault and were brave enough to change the charge so they did not have to suspend you. As some of the expert former players and media commentators have told us it was clearly Dalhaus’s fault as on a normal size player Toby’s boot would have struck the chest (just like it did to Bulldog Toby McLean in the prelim last year, he is still waiting for the stop mark welts to heal…..that’ll teach him) and it would have completely gone over Caleb Daniels head.
Gordon Smith
Guest
You have to prove intent - emotion is no substitution for the rule of law and the MRP is a legal commission. They have to consider if player X did with intent and not take into account individual personalities.
Benh2477
Guest
I think the hysteria is because he plays for GWS, if he played for a popular Vic team I believe there would be a lot of different reactions on here. There are a lot of comments about how he looks "smug" and"cocky" etc. but listen to him talk and you will realise he is anything but. He is an extremely talented player that plays on the edge. Every team would love to have him. Guilty or not guilty let's move on, the MRP has handed down their ruling and I doubt any player will be re-enacting this without serious consequences. I think what the MRP has done is ruled on something they have never had to rule on before and in doing so sent a warning to all players that this won't be tolerated. By the way, if it was intentional he could get a job as a Hollywood stunt man!
Asd
Guest
Bulldogs could have appealed can they . having a second look he lashed out with his foot .wasn't a uncontrollable high mark .
Raimond
Roar Guru
I'm sure that this opinion has nothing to do with a likely match-up between the Giants and the Tigers in a Qualifying Final in a few weeks...nothing at all.
BARTON
Guest
Again Razzer are you completely delusion in your assessment of the play or just ignorant - what did your think Dahlhaus was coming at Greene with a switchblade knife or something - defence indeed. What a complete crock you speak of