TOBY Greene says he will use his knee for protection again if he finds himself in the same situation as he did with the Western Bulldogs’ Luke Dahlhaus three weeks ago at Etihad Stadium.
Speaking for the first time since he was reported and fined for the incident, Greene was apologetic for catching Dahlhaus in the mouth with his studs but said there was no intent to hurt him.
“I can’t guarantee in my next marking contest that I won’t protect myself with my knee,” he said.
ULTIMATE GOAL: NO PRESSURE ON GIANTS TO WIN FLAG
WEEK ONE: WHO PLAYS WHO: AFL FINALS EXPLAINED
GWS VETERAN: IS STEVIE J DONE? “YOU JUST CAN’T PLAY HIM”
“That’s just how I play footy. And from what I’m aware, you’re allowed to do it. If your eyes are on the footy, I thought you’re entitled to do what you want to protect yourself. That was my thoughts on it. I think that’s a natural reaction of mine, to protect myself when I go for marks.
“That’s all I thought it was. It’s unfortunate he got hit in the head but obviously I didn’t mean to kick him in the head”
It was a clash that divided the game. There was an argument that Greene had the right to protect the space around the ball from opponents. But others argued because it was a handball, and not a mark, Greene should not be allowed to fend off a tackler with his boot.
Toby Greene puts a boot into the face of Luke Dahlhaus.Source:Supplied
“That might have been the difference but it was still the same action,” Greene said.
“I was going up to mark the footy. It’s unfortunate I got Luke in the head but I didn’t mean to do that. I was just protecting the space.”
Greene was reported for incident, his fifth run in with the match review panel this year. He was suspended for a week for striking the Bulldogs’ Caleb Daniel in Round 6 and copped a two-match ban for punching Richmond’s Alex Rance in Round 18.
He maintains the Daniel clash was unintentional but the Rance blow was entirely his fault.
“The Rance thing was really stupid,” Greene said.
“The Daniel thing, I didn’t mean to hit him in the head but I guess if you play on the edge like I do, things like that are going to happen. I don’t think there was anything wrong with the Dahlhaus thing. I can’t control my reputation.”
Toby Greene and Alex Rance tangle before the first bounce. Picture: Michael KleinSource:News Corp Australia
Toby Greene gives Alex Rance a jumper punch. Picture: Michael KleinSource:News Corp Australia
Greene also revealed the Giants leadership group spoke with him after the Rance suspension.
“They were disappointed and don’t want me missing games,” Greene said.
“I’ve just got to learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. They’re in the leadership group for a reason. If these conversations have to be had, they have to be had.”
The talented small forward was again nominated for All-Australian honours this year and says he expects opposition teams to try to get under his skin but it’s just part of football.
“I just be more aware of it myself,” Greene said. “If people are going to come after me or niggle me, it’s about just being cool. You can’t really do anything these days so there’s no real point.”
Rival fans have also targeted Greene, with the Geelong faithful on his case at Simonds Stadium last Saturday night.
“The Cats’ crowd were all right,” Greene said. “I actually didn’t notice it too much compared to the Bulldogs game. It’s all part of it. It’s footy. It is what it is. I guess you feed off the notice but I don’t take anything in that gets said, or anything like that.”
Originally published as I’d do it again: Greene protects himself
Sport | news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site
