So Toby Greene has been suspended again. Nothing new here.
Before this season, Toby Greene had been charged 19 times by the AFL, and found guilty 19 times. After this week, he now holds the VFL/AFL record for the player found guilty the most times, at an average of twice a year since his debut.
There are a couple of embarrassing aspects to this situation.
First, let’s be very, very clear. Greene plays on the edge, and plenty of people love him for it.
Greene saw the opportunity to win the ball, using what appeared to be a clumsy fend-off, but was actually a forearm and elbow that inflicted damage on the opposition’s best player.
The reaction of some of the AFL commentariat defending Greene, including and especially past players, has been laughable. It has been some misguided brotherhood, because they want to side with one of their favourites against the establishment.
We consistently marvel at Greene’s exploits when the ball is in his area. His judgement of the ball in the air, the ability to use an inch of his hip at the right split-second to work his opponent exactly where he wants him. His ability to kick a goal from a quarter-chance in a congested situation. His uncanny football instincts that sense a moment, and rise to it accordingly.
In short, his football IQ is off the charts.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Yet, when Greene performs one of these actions that have seen him charged with regularity, many ex-players act as if he no longer possesses any control. He’s basically a gumby, with no control over his limbs. An open-mouthed clown at a carnival, swinging his head from side to side, with nothing between his ears except fresh air.
If you hear a commentator trying to defend Greene with any of this sort of lame nonsense, comfort yourself with the fact that they are publicly declaring themselves a simpleton. They’ve played the game. They know there are far fewer accidents on the football field than some will have you believe.
Then, of course, there is the sweet irony of Patrick Dangerfield as the victim of Greene’s action.
We only have to cast our mind back to last year’s grand final, when Dangerfield caught Nick Vlastuin’s face with a forearm and elbow.
Vlastuin was knocked out well before he crumpled to the ground. The only question at the time was whether Dangerfield would serve four or six weeks for committing such an act, especially in a grand final.
The AFL determined that Dangerfield had no case to answer, despite years of declaring the head sacrosanct.
No suspension to Dangerfield set the standard for confusion.
Earlier in the year we saw Bayley Fritsch elbow Tom Powell in a deliberate action. The MRO gave him one week, which felt light if anything. The tribunal overturned it. And now we’ve had Greene receive two weeks, which the tribunal has downgraded to one.
The actions of Fritsch and Greene were clearly less impactful than Dangerfield’s. What a mess.
Toby Greene loves pushing the boundaries and it means that every now and then he’s going to get done. It’s an opportunity cost he seems happy to wear.
But, until the AFL starts adjudicating these issues consistently, the case can still be made that, paradoxically, he’s hard done by.
nics
Roar Rookie
Well there's just too much inconsistency nowadays
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
And here. AFL (not even talked about) One day cricket too. I saw WI and Aust throw a one dayer for the third gate
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Sydney got one too with Hall getting off. No drug testing post GF with that cousin "vomiting through gut running"
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Channel 7 + Star Player + MRC + AFL = Off.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
I dont barrack for Tiges Dougie. Dangerfield has high motor skills. He knew. As per article by Cameron nails it twice. Irony re Danger in the Greene incident and the "accidents" of highly coordinated athletes
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
A few more than that nics. I knew he was going to get nothing.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Doc l just sent but it went to dust clearly my opinions especially the best get wiped I agree with your statement but my previous was more in-depth Shame!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It’s true depends on the player & possibly the technicality of the incident clearly the slow-motion replay is a damning evidence tool & certainly important for the judiciary to act upon incident by grading individuals & also if the person has discretion then he is clearly frowned upon this Greene was trial by media even before he hit Danger. Personally l feel Greene tried to deflect Danger rather than purposely connect because it clearly looked like he twisted his hips prior to contact it was clearly a get out of my way move! Shame l personally luv watching him, cheers Doc!!!!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
If you recall the incident well, then your memory will be clear. Did you think at the time "That's a free"? Or "that's a report"? You know,head strike, forearm/elbow, struck Gaff before striking the ball,blood. No accident. Or is that all OK because it's Bambi? If it had been the other way around and it was Gaff whacking Bontempelli, he would have had three weeks. Agree? When anyone says "hard but fair" it legitimises thuggery.
sven
Roar Rookie
when u stop posting garbage i'll stop responding to it
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Who is the 'he'? You accidently trolled the wrong bloke. You're better off just letting it go and talking about footy. The nastiness diminishes you.
JamesH
Roar Guru
It was brought to David King's attention and I think he raised it on one of the Fox Footy shows. But that's about it. I'm not sure Chrisso even looked at it, since it wasn't called a free kick at the time.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Can't agree, Don. There is never a need to sling a player like that. The AFL has talked the talk about rubbing it out, yet this one went completely under the radar. That clip of Bailey Smith is clear as day. He had the option to just pull Merrett to ground and chose to complete a 360 and sling him into the turf. It wasn't holding the ball, either - Merrett had no prior and tried to get a kick away when was tackled - so the umpire couldn't do anything other than call play on (which he did) or penalise Smith for a dangerous tackle (which he should have done). The Bont one had far less intent on Redman's part. He initially tries to pull Bont to ground, who is strong enough to brace himself and stay upright. The only way Redman can bring him down at that point is to tip him over. Possibly dangerous but nowhere near as clear cut.
sven
Roar Rookie
given he's calling it utter nonsense its obviously you
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Do you know who that is referring to?
sven
Roar Rookie
utter nonsense ... thats his specialty
sven
Roar Rookie
(cognitive) dissonance delusions sufferer
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Interesting Doc l recall that incident well we know a Caleb tough but fair & had eyes for the ball & accidents occur but in someways similar to green but Green had a sec more view of impact not much in the scheme of things but yes l see your point!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I am referring to Daniel and his forearm smash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B0BBlFchKo About as ugly a blow as you'll see.Worse than Greene's. Four weeks retrospective
Clear as mud
Guest
you have me mixed up with someone else i'm the pariah on here because I think the Richmond decline is down to the coach.