Giants captain finalises contract call as Victorian move looms
Updated . First published
Toby Greene has informed the GWS Giants of his desire to return to Victoria and continue his career with the Geelong Cats, the club has confirmed.
The 32-year-old had been linked to a return home for weeks, with the Bombers and Geelong both cited as potential landing sites for him.
Giants skipper Toby Greene remains out of contract. AFL Photos
Greene had confirmed late last month that he had locked in times to meet with new Bombers coach Mark McVeigh and also Geelong’s list managers.
He then told reporters last week that Geelong would be the more favourable option as it brought “a lot less travel and more time for family”.
While he had been considering a move back to Melbourne for most of the season, he was still torn about whether he would leave the team and his home of 15 years.
Greene eventually settled on departing to return to Victoria for “family reasons”.
“The club will make no further comment at this stage and will work with Toby and his manager regarding his availability to media,” the Giants said in a statement.
Greene had been at the centre of list management talks recently due to his contract at the Giants being set to expire at season’s end.
GWS chief executive Dave Matthews confirmed the club will give Greene the celebration he deserves following his 15-year commitment to the club.
“I love the guy and Georgia (his wife), as well,” Matthews told SEN on Thursday.
“They’ve got the young family with Isla and they’ve got further plans there.
“That’s the decision he has made and we certainly respect that. He’s been a celebrated figure at our club, a very important person and I know this his has been a really tough decision.”
Matthews is also departing the Giants and revealed that he and Greene’s only regret ahead of their respective exits is they couldn’t help the club secure a maiden flag.
The Giants made the 2019 AFL grand final but were thumped by Richmond.
“We talked about how we’re really proud of where the club has got to,” he added.
“The regret he and I had as we both leave is that we haven’t been able to secure that premiership.
“He’s been an enormous figure for our club and has done everything possible, not just for the Giants but for the AFL as well, to grow this club and our presence.
“You’d love him to be a one-club player, you’d love to see circumstances that supported that. I’ve got nothing but respect for him ... we understand the decision.”
Greene has been at the Giants since the club’s inaugural season, being selected at pick 11 in the 2011 draft.
Over the course of his career at the Sydney-based club, he played 282 games, landed three All-Australian honours and also held the captaincy position.
