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Giants give Greene light for skipper's new role

Joanna GuelasAAP
Giants skipper Toby Greene will be deployed in a new role in his 250th milestone game. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconGiants skipper Toby Greene will be deployed in a new role in his 250th milestone game. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Toby Greene in the centre square against Carlton might just be what GWS need to reignite their AFL season.

With star onballer Finn Callaghan out through injury, goalsneak Greene is prepared to be deployed as a midfielder as his 250th match looms.

Callaghan is set for a month-long stint on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in a collision with Fremantle's Patrick Voss on the three-quarter time siren in the Giants' home defeat.

GWS were run over by 34 points after a substandard performance against Fremantle, leaving Kingsley to lament their lack of work in the midfield.

Their bid to rediscover form won't get easier, with a Blues midfield led by two-time Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra up next at Marvel Stadium.

Experienced midfielder Josh Kelly remains at least one week away from a hip injury, while fellow veteran Stephen Coniglio has suffered another setback from a glute issue.

The Game AFL 2025

It won't be the first time Giants captain Greene will be handed midfield minutes, but the 31-year-old admits he's got his work cut out for him.

"I definitely need to relearn a few things. It's pretty hard work in there actually, so I've got to give them credit," Greene said on Thursday.

"There's a few things I've really got to sharpen up on, some running patterns and things like that.

"We've got guys who are pushing in the VFL, they've been doing really well in the midfield as well ... so I'm sure a few of us will be in there at different stages.

"I'd probably rather be playing forward and consistently there, but just because of the injuries we've got and the boys that are out, it is what it is."

Greene reaches the 250-game milestone after more than a decade at the Giants, drafted as an inaugural player with pick 11 in 2011.

The All-Australian captain in 2023, Greene has long since shed his notoriety and built a reputation as one of the league's most creative and lethal forwards.

He is a three-time All-Australian, a four-time club leading goalkicker, a two-time club best-and-fairest winner, and a one-time Brett Kirk medallist.

A premiership with GWS is the only thing missing from his resume.

"I'm probably not a deep thinker too much. I just sort of took it as it came and always had fun," Greene said.

"I could sort of see in the early days when we were not winning many games, if we kept working hard, that potentially that might happen and we might start to turn.

"And it did, being sort of able to compete for the last eight or 10 years.

"Obviously, I haven't got to where I really want to get to, but I've always had fun."

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