Exclusive: Greene reveals reason behind GWS exit

Toby Greene has spoken for the first time since confirming his departure from GWS after 15 seasons with the club.

Having been drafted ahead of the club’s inaugural season in 2012, the three-time All-Australian has enjoyed a storied legacy with the AFL’s youngest club, becoming the most capped player and highest goal-kicker in its history.

But coming out of contract at season’s end, the GWS captain has weighed up the decision to either remain with the Giants or move back to Victoria, with a likely move to Geelong.

And on Thursday morning, after much deliberation, it was officially announced that Greene intended to join the Cats.

Speaking exclusively with SEN’s Crunch Time, the superstar forward explained that there were two reasons behind his decision.

“Well, one, I'd love to have three kids, and that's a lot easier in Victoria,” he explained.

“We've got family support down here; we certainly struggled with our first as well, which was hard, but we're fine now; that's why it was hard.

“We're super happy; we love Sydney, love the people, love the club, but that's where we wanted to go from a family perspective, and that's certainly a lot easier down here.

“Then from a selfish footy perspective, I feel like I'm gonna be really energised and really excited by a new challenge and something different and a new environment.

“In the last few days before I got to my decision, I was like, ‘Oh, I'm actually really excited to try something different and prove myself to new people and try and finish off my career with a lot of energy and fun and go from there.

“I thought that it might have been a bit of a grind, perhaps at the Giants, if I was trying to do that."

But whilst he is departing the Harbour City, he does believe the club can be competitive next season without him.

“I think the Giants will be highly competitive the next three years and I don't agree with some of the narrative that they're resetting or they're not gonna try and win it," he continued.

“I don't agree with that. I think the young group coming through are as good as anyone's young group in the competition, so that's why the decision was hard, but those were the two probably major reasons for moving back.”

The AFL’s free agency window opens on October 2 and ends October 9. The trade period begins October 5 and concludes on October 14.