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.
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.
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.
Clear as mud
Guest
haha now you add sanctimony to your own little risotto. you win.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo? I was talking about Leon Cameron. What a strange contribution!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What's this pickles and dill stuff? What does that have to do with kicking? None of it makes sense...unless you are just resorting to calling names, now. Surely not! What do you reckon Floyd? Are you on the same page as this kind of stuff?
Clear as mud
Guest
Not famous enough for the Sage tho As per the original email that the Sage dismissed, he was a rare talent in that he could kick great torps with both feet But yes no way up to Freo standard
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Bruce Tempany was a very decent player. Missed the 1980 GF due to injury. Represented Victoria the same year. Played in the 1982 GF. Retired prematurely due to injuries. Obviously not Freo standard, (who is?) but he did alright.
Clear as mud
Guest
Read your own pickles before you start telling other people what to do More dill than sage
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
None of that makes sense. Have another go.
Clear as mud
Guest
No such name. No such player. And you have the absolute gall to pffft Return to sender. The dill is pickled
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Of course it's not. "Superstar" pffff. Up there with Apeness, Pitt and Clem Michael.
Clear as mud
Guest
87 games not enough for you? Does he fail some sort of Don test? Why do I care? That is the Don Con-undrum, hey?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hard to be a superstar if you don't have a career.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Keep trying.
Clear as mud
Guest
You need to check your memory stick Superstar crueled by injury
Maxy
Roar Rookie
He was very good Don,Jarman is right up there,Allan Jackovich around goals was incredible
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Bruce Tempany? No AFL/VFL player by that name in my 50 plus years of following footy. Cameron was comfortably better than Aker. That's why I said it. You may not have been aware of him but you should be if you know Aker. Cameron is the yardstick.
Clear as mud
Guest
He was good but no Bruce Tempany (or Aker)
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
Was wondering when he was going to get serious and stop being a sideshow. But props to him, I reckon he’s done just that this year and shown some real leadership. And what. A. Goal. Only a handful of blokes in the league would’ve kicked that.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
A bit of a cliche that indicates very little about the gist of your opinion. Is the "head" the board, the CEO, the coach, the captain? Cameron, for instance, was a highly skilled player (the best kick, equally, on either foot in AFL history) and scrupulously fair. Obviously, then, he is not the "head" to whom you refer.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Lol, yep, he fits the Sheedy / Hardwick mould. :laughing: I suspect Clarko would love him too.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
The fish stinks from head. No much media coverage about the many players who have left there in its short culture