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Toby given Greene light to play in AFL semi-finals

9th September, 2019
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9th September, 2019
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GWS Giants star Toby Greene has been cleared to play in the club’s do-or-die semi-final with the Brisbane Lions this Saturday night after the AFL requested only a financial sanction following an incident in the Saturday elimination final.

Despite public speculation that Greene could be given a lengthy suspension, the AFL’s counsel Jeff Gleeson requested a fine between $5000 to $7500 as the only punishment.

Gleeson said the Greene’s offence did not warrant a suspension sanction, but that the fine should be a significant one.

This was influenced by the remorse shown by Greene, who pleaded guilty to a charge of serious misconduct.

“My actions were a reaction to an incident that occurred in the tackle… looking back on the incident I understand I overstepped the mark in my remonstration. I am extremely apologetic if there was any harm done to Bontempelli,” said Greene.

A Western Bulldogs medical report said Bontempelli was assessed following the incident, but didn’t require any ongoing treatment.

Greene was not made to defend allegations that he had ‘gouged’ Bontempelli’s eye during the incident, with the AFL counsel electing not to deliberate the specific nature of the offence.

No evidence was presented, or witnesses called.

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The tribunal deliberation decided to hand down a $7500 fine for incident. The deliberation lasted for 12 minutes.

Greene was represented by former AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson. The AFL Tribunal panel consisted of Wayne Henwood, Richard Loveridge and David Neitz, and was chaired by Ross Howie.

It was the sixteenth charge levelled at Greene in his eight-year career. He has been suspended for a total of six matches across the length of his career.

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