Not entirely true: Star Giant on Greene speculation

Adam Kingsley’s “uncompromising” coaching style is being seen as one reason why Toby Greene has been considering his future at GWS.

According to veteran journalist Caroline Wilson, Greene is expected to train with the group at every opportunity due to his status as Giants captain.

It comes after he injured his quad in Sunday’s loss to Essendon amid speculation regarding a potential move to Geelong and reported interest from Hawthorn. The injury is expected to keep him out for 3-4 weeks.

Wilson’s information is that the longevity the Cats and Hawks can provide their ageing players is potentially attractive to Greene who could yet remain with the Giants.

“It seems to be the growing hope at GWS (that Greene stays),” Wilson said on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters.

“Geelong, I reckon a few weeks ago, thought they had their man in Toby Greene. We hear that there are clubs in the mix. Hawthorn denied that it’s them.

“The prospect of a club like Hawthorn and a coach like Sam Mitchell is fascinating, and obviously Chris Scott (at the Cats). We know they’re into Toby Greene.

“Where they differ to Adam Kingsley is that he is uncompromising with the way his players train and the way they present themselves.

“We know that Geelong has a different mindset here and a different philosophy. Everyone says with Toby Greene that it’s about family and the fact his family want to be back closer to other family (in Melbourne).

“I think it’s also about extending Toby Greene’s career.”

Kane Cornes asked if Kingsley’s uncompromising stance and attitude has worn Greene down.

Wilson continued: “I think Toby Greene really loves the way Adam Kingsley coaches, and loves his no compromise, but he’s beginning to wonder what it’s going to mean for his career.”

Former Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge questioned that strategy, concluding that the Hawks would protect their older players in order to extend their playing careers.

Hodge: “Are you saying that the Giants don’t give a little bit of leeway for their senior players?”

Wilson: “Not for their captain.”

Hodge: “So their captain has to do every session?”

Wilson: “The view is that if you’re captain it’s not a good look (not to train).”

Hodge: “That’s the whole reason you have a leadership group.

“So the captain doesn’t have to be the face, otherwise you’re going to burn your captain out.

“The expectation shouldn’t be on him training every session.

“If you look at the history of Geelong and Hawthorn, they’ve got a number of players that have gone on to play 300, 350 and 400 games. Because they were smart, because they were able to say ‘you don’t have to train this week if you’re sore’.”

From a Giants perspective, vice-captain Tom Green suggests that information is not exactly correct.

He insists that the club does take care of its players, particularly those with niggles.

“I don’t think that’s entirely accurate,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“As an entire program we train really hard and are really diligent to be out on the track as much as we can.

“I think there’s also a balance when guys do need a bit of a freshen up, or there are certain things they need to do to look after their body, or have a specifically tailored program.

“I think we’re doing that a little bit better than we have. That’s maybe something that has come in more recently.

“I wouldn’t say that’s entirely true.”