Greene thrives from AFL niggle: GWS coach

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron says Toby Greene thrives on verbal barbs and physical blows, welcoming West Coast's pre-AFL clash declaration.

Toby Greene of the Giants

Despite his poor disciplinary record Toby Greene remains a key player for GWS. (AAP)

Niggling Toby Greene in Saturday's AFL clash carries great risk and no return, according to Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron.

Greene has been charged five times by the match review panel this season. The most recent misdeed was a boot to the face of Luke Dahlhaus that resulted in a fine and widespread condemnation.

GWS have rallied around the fiery small forward amid the resultant firestorm, with Shane Mumford saying his teammate was unfairly "thrown under the bus".

Greene's mettle will be tested at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, when West Coast risk tumbling out of the top eight and the Giants can secure a coveted top-four finish.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson declared on Thursday that his side will try to get under Greene's skin.

It was music to the ears of Cameron, who sat alongside Simpson in Hawthorn's coaches box five years ago when they were both aspiring assistants.

Cameron believes such a tactic will only make Greene, who kicked two final-quarter goals to help GWS pip the Eagles in Perth earlier this year, play better.

"I don't think that worries him at all, in fact it probably works the opposite," Cameron said on Friday.

"He's one of those players who thrives on attention, thrives on the big stage and tomorrow's a big stage.

"If the Eagles do choose to intimidate him verbally or physically, Toby will absorb that really, really well and play to the best of his ability."

Greene, who claimed the Giants' best-and-fairest award plus All-Australian honours in 2016, has been a near-constant presence in the headlines this week.

Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy has been among many players to suggest the 23-year-old was out of line in the incident that drew blood.

"I actually feel quite bad for him," Mumford said of Greene.

"He hasn't taken his eyes off the ball. He cops it quite a lot, that he's this villain but he's one of the nicest guys you'll come across.

"He just plays hard, strong footy and that's what I love about him.

"He's been thrown under the bus many times this year by the media."

The latest Greene incident has also prompted debate among coaches regarding whether the match review panel's verdict of a $1500 fine matched the crime.

"It doesn't annoy me. Everyone's entitled to their opinion," Cameron said.

"It was an unusual incident ... we thought the right decision was made."

Cameron, who made four changes to the side that crushed the Bulldogs, declared fit-again key forward Jeremy Cameron a certain starter.


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Source: AAP



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