GWS player in Vic court on 21st birthday

The lawyer for GWS Giants player Toby Greene says he is disappointed the AFL footballer was forced to appear in a Melbourne court on his 21st birthday.

Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL player Toby Greene

GWS AFL player Toby Greene has marked his 21st birthday with a Melbourne court appearance. (AAP)

Police have dropped some of the serious assault charges against Greater Western Sydney Giants player Toby Greene, as the AFL midfielder marked his 21st birthday with a court appearance.

But Greene is still facing another five charges stemming from an alleged attack on a bouncer at Melbourne bistro Zagame's.

His lawyer Bernie Balmer told the Melbourne Magistrates Court he was disappointed that police had bailed Greene after his arrest in May to front court on his 21st birthday.

"I find that a little bit galling," he said.

Charges of assault with a weapon, assault by kicking, intentionally causing injury, affray and threatening to inflict serious injury were withdrawn on Thursday.

Greene, of Rozelle in Sydney, will contest charges of unlawful assault, recklessly causing injury, being drunk in a public place and damaging property.

Mr Balmer also accused police of releasing CCTV footage of the incident to Nine Network program The Footy Show, before Greene's defence had access to the video.

"I tried to stop it as I thought it would be prejudicial," he said.

Magistrate Jennifer Bowles altered Greene's bail so he could stay with his parents in Melbourne over the AFL off-season.

Greene has played 53 games since being drafted to the Giants at pick 11 in the 2011 draft, winning the club's best first-year player award and finishing runner-up in the best and fairest count.

In the wake of the alleged attack, he was suspended for five games and fined $5000 by GWS for breaking club protocol by drinking alcohol during his recovery from an ankle injury and failing to inform the club of his arrest.

Greene's bail prohibits him from going within 200 metres of Zagame's in Caulfield.

Greene and a co-accused will face court again on December 9.


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