GWS coach Adam Kingsley doesn’t consider there may be any threat in appointing famend ‘dangerous boy’ Toby Greene because the membership’s sole captain, assured the risky star will flourish within the function.
Greene admits he was a good distance off being a management candidate early in his AFL profession and has typically discovered himself within the highlight for the mistaken causes, charged 22 instances by the match evaluate officer over 11 seasons.
The 29-year-old’s chequered tribunal historical past features a six-match suspension for making contact with an umpire and has resulted in loads of criticism from exterior sources.
Behind the scenes, the Giants have lengthy valued Greene’s creating management qualities, which led to his appointment as co-captain with Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly final season.
Greene has taken the function in his personal proper this season, with new coach Kingsley preferring the simplicity of a streamlined strategy.
Kingsley acknowledges Greene’s historical past of on-field turbulence however has urged his skipper to proceed enjoying on the sting, adamant the management function will carry out the perfect in him.
“If anything, the captaincy will help him shift his focus to what’s important,” Kingsley informed AAP.
“He’ll have to manage himself on occasion … but when the time’s there to actually do something and stand up and do something about the situation if it’s not going our way, then I expect him to do that.
“Like Trent Cotchin and Joel Selwood and all these different nice leaders, at instances they do cross the road, however we’ll hold working with Toby.”
Kingsley, who did not know Greene personally before taking over as GWS coach in August, described the explosive forward as shy, humble and super-competitive.
“Those qualities actually shine while you get to know him and he is actually fairly clever, on and off the sphere,” Kingsley mentioned.
“He’s high-care, so he loves his teammates, and he is ready to do what it takes to assist assist them.
“He’s not a big talker in front of the group, but when he talks, people listen.
“He has an unlimited affect over our group and definitely has a big effect on the sphere.”
Greene is not given enough credit for his maturity, according to Kingsley, who helped put the new skipper in touch with former Richmond captain Cotchin during the pre-season.
Greene picked the triple-premiership star’s brain on leadership matters over a coffee in Melbourne earlier this month.
“He’s an actual thinker in regards to the sport and he has an actual want to enhance and in the end win,” Kingsley mentioned.
“That (Cotchin assembly) can be an instance and I did not push him to do it – he sought that from me.
“As soon as he asked the question I was fully encouraging of it.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
