Greater Western Sydney coach Adam Kingsley has shouldered part of the blame for Toby Greene’s one-match ban, conceding that his own efforts to fire up the Giants captain may have backfired ahead of last week’s Sydney derby.
Greene was suspended for elbowing Swans midfielder Isaac Heeney in the head, an outburst the Giants skipper now says was fuelled by emotion and a moment of lost control.
Speaking on the Ausmerican Aces podcast, Greene admitted: “I was just probably highly emotional and got don’t argued sensationally by Isaac and then did what I did – which if I had my time back, I would love it back, but that’s not possible.”
MORE: Three key AFL rules to be changed by Greg Swann for 2026 season
“There was a bit going both ways, and I probably let that get the better of me in terms of getting emotional and pretty wound up,” he added.
‘I need to be better’: Kingsley takes responsibility
Coach Kingsley, reflecting on the fallout, revealed that his messaging during the lead-up to the derby may have contributed to Greene’s reaction.
“I’d wound him up a little bit during the week,” Kingsley said on Wednesday. “I need to be better with how I articulate that to him and what I’m asking him to do… I’ll take responsibility for that and be better next time.”
MORE: Commentator Craig Hutchison drops bold new names for 'ho-hum' Sydney and Brisbane AFL derbies
Despite Greene’s history, he remains the most fined and suspended active player in the AFL. Kingsley expressed full faith in his captain’s ability to learn from the incident. “I’m not concerned in the slightest… He just lost his mind for a little bit.”
The Giants, chasing a top-four finish, will be without Greene for Thursday’s crunch clash against the Bulldogs.