'This is a disgrace': Toby Greene's agent slams 'hopeless' verdict
Toby Greene’s player agent has unloaded on the AFL Appeals Board’s decision to uphold the GWS Giants player’s suspension, saying he has ‘no idea how they could find him guilty’.
Paul Connors, who represents the trouble-prone midfielder, took aim at the AFL in an interview on SEN radio shortly after the second appeal was knocked back.
The high-profile player agent pulled no punches, claiming the Appeals Board ‘didn’t want to overturn their friends’ decision’.
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“As our QC said, it was just a hopeless decision in the first place and I sat through and watched the vision 1000 times and I have no idea how they’ve come to the conclusion at the MRO or Tuesday night, how they could find him guilty of touching Neale’s face,” Connors said.
“I’m flabbergasted, I’m devastated for Toby and I think we’ve got to ask some questions.”
Greene targeted because of reputation?
A furious Connors claimed Greene was being targeted because of his reputation.
The week before the Giants faced Brisbane, Greene had escaped a similar charge, this time from an incident involving the Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, with a fine.
Connors said if similar evidence existed for a different player, the case would have bee thrown out by the Match Review Officer.
“I could not agree more (that Greene is victimised because of his reputation).
“If this was any other player, this would not have even got through the MRO.
“He’s gutted. It’s a Preliminary Final we’re talking about. If this was a Collingwood player, there would be uproar,” he said.
“In over 20 years of management, I’ve never seen a worse decision.
“You can have your opinions on Toby, but on the facts of the facts, this is a disgrace.”
Greene has now been suspended for seven games across his 144-game career and racked up more than $26,000 in fines.
Giants chief executive Dave Matthews was more measured in his response outside the hearing room when he ruled out taking the case to court, but was also clearly fuming at the decision.
"As disappointed as we are we won't do anything further," Matthews said.
"We've put forward two very good arguments twice this week.
"We obviously felt that the evidence was all in Toby's favour and we're probably stunned, as a lot of people would be, by this decision.
"But in the end that's where we'll leave it.
"We've got Saturday to focus on and well move on."
Greene was replaced by Lachie Keeffe in the line-up shortly after the decision was announced.
with AAP
