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Toby Greene gets praise from Leon Cameron

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19th June, 2021
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Toby Greene’s much-scrutinised temperament has been given a huge endorsement by GWS coach Leon Cameron despite the forward being reported again.

Greene, who kicked four goals, including an outrageous 67-metre torpedo from inside the centre square, was booked for striking Nic Newman in the Giants’ 36-point home win over Carlton on Saturday.

Cameron didn’t see the incident, which some observers felt wasn’t particularly bad, or one a few seconds later when it looked as if Greene might have made contact with an umpire.

While Greene has incurred numerous fines and suspensions during his eventful career, Cameron was adamant his sometimes volatile star had turned the corner in recent times.

“I think his last couple of years have been fantastic and he’s not putting himself into those positions that probably he was earlier in his career,” Cameron said.

“He’s the one who’s put his hand up in the past and really wanted to address it and let his footy do the talking.

“Footy is a tough game. There’s always going to be some niggle, there’s always going to be things that are going to happen, but I’m really proud. With every game he plays, he gets better and better in this area.”

Greene, who is building an outstanding season that so far includes 27 goals, has captained GWS for most of the campaign, after Stephen Coniglio went down with an ankle injury in Round 3.

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But Coniglio and forwards Jesse Hogan and Brent Daniels are all set to return over the next couple of weeks to boost ninth-placed GWS in their attempt to make finals.

“In that first half of the year when we were probably under the pump a fair bit with some injuries, things are starting to turn a little bit,” said Cameron who had veteran key back Phil Davis on Saturday play his first senior game since Round 3.

“Players are starting to pop back into action which is good because it puts pressure on spots.

Cameron lavished praise on key forward Jeremy Finlayson after his career-best equalling five-goal haul against Carlton.

“I think he’s having a really good strong season,” Cameron said.

“The thing that made me really proud of him today though was his leadership, which we probably haven’t seen a lot of.”

He said emerging young back Jack Buckley had a wonderful duel against Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay, who he held to 3.2 despite the Carlton forward’s considerable height and weight advantages.

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Cameron was confident Josh Kelly and Bobby Hill would both be fit for their next game at home to Hawthorn, after each played out Saturday’s match despite rolling an ankle early on.

© AAP

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