Former Giant Sam Reid says he hit Toby Greene “between the eyes” in an honest chat after Greater Western Sydney’s season came to an end.
Greene was suspended for three games after making contact with umpire Matt Stevic in the Giants’ elimination final win over Sydney.
The ban was described as “manifestly inadequate” by AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon, and an appeal will be heard after the season.
Reid, who was yesterday delisted by GWS after 98 games across two stints with the club, has been involved with the Giants in a playing or coaching capacity throughout Greene’s career.
“I told him a couple of home truths, and things he needs to work on. We’ve got a pretty good relationship,” Reid explained to SEN's Bob and Andy.
“One thing I wouldn’t change is how competitive he is. I think there’s no doubt sometimes that gets in the way, he gets white line fever and his eyes glaze over.
“That’s the type of guy you want to play with, he’ll do anything for his teammates.
“(That said), some of the stuff he does is a bit controversial and we don’t condone any of that, especially the umpire stuff.
“I wouldn’t get him to change his competitiveness, but he might have to rein it in and steer clear of the umpires and the silly little things.
“He’s so passionate, he’s once of the best blokes I’ve ever met. He’s the ultimate teammate, he really is.”
Greene is the Giants’ vice-captain and stood in for injured skipper Stephen Coniglio throughout the season, but his disciplinary record is a question lingering over his leadership.
The 27-year-old has been hit with 22 charges, suspended on seven occasions for 11 matches in total, and fined $29,350 over his 176 games.
“He hates being beaten. We’ve had blues a few times, getting into each other,” Reid continued.
“It would have been a bit confronting for him, me hitting him between the eyes… I might leave it at that.
“It was over a couple of beers as well, I needed a couple of cups of courage to get into him.”
A Queenslander at heart, Reid was drafted from Zillmere at the end of 2007 and spent four seasons with the Western Bulldogs before his decade-long stint at Homebush.