Toby Greene at centre of ‘ridiculous’ Collingwood incident amid grand final heartache

Toby Greene appeared to be taken high high in a pivotal tackle from Nick Daicos in the third quarter, which wasn’t called, and it has been described as a match swinging call against GWS. (Images: Twitter/Getty Images)

Greater Western Sydney fans have become enraged after Toby Greene appeared to be caught high in a number of divisive incidents with just seconds left in the third quarter as Collingwood made history to win a thriller at the MCG. The Magpies came back from a half-time deficit to defeat GWS 58-57 to reach their first AFL grand final since 2018.

In front of 97,000 fans at the MCG, Greene put on a masterclass to drag the Giants into the contest and give them some hope. But, using the energy from the deafening atmosphere, the Magpies held on with seconds left in a game that will go down as an all-time thriller.

‘DIDN’T EXPECT THIS’: AFL fans in frenzy over Todd Goldstein development

BACKLASH: Gillon McLachlan and Daniel Andrews respond to Sam Newman

However, Giants fans have been left absolutely fuming with replays appearing to show Greene was tackled high in a last ditch effort from Collingwood’s Nick Daicos with just seconds left in the third quarter. Greene proved why he is considered by many as the best player in the game with two goals and a standout performance.

But there was also no doubt the Magpies were roughing up the captain in the process. And with the game in the balance, Giants fans have fumed over a potential head high tackle that went unpunished with the momentum continually swaying throughout the contest.

With Greene looking to take off downfield, Daicos reached out and got hold of the No.4’s neck. Greene was then pulled to the ground. AFL fans watching the game were left fuming with the incident with any call deemed pivotal considering how close the game was.

Some fans felt Greene lowered his height and it was therefore not a penalty. While others disagreed with one fan claiming the missed call potentially swung the momentum of the game. With Giants fans accusing the umpires of missing a number of high tackle calls – including one on Connor Idun in the fourth quarter – the Greene incident certainly fired up viewers.

Story continues

Despite the heartache, Greene was all class as captain after the match. “It’s hard to reflect on the season when you get that close. That one hurts. That one really hurts,” Greene told Channel 7.

“It’s a tough changeroom at the moment, but we’ll come together. We’ll come back stronger. You put yourself out there, you get that close, that’s what happens.

“It was an awesome year, but once you get this close you want to go on and win it. We felt like we were good enough too, but hats off to Collingwood they were tough tonight. Flip of a coin, really, in the end and it just hurts.”

Toby Greene (pictured) fell to the floor after the Giants lost a thriller to Collingwood. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

GWS emerged from 14th after the bye rounds to qualify for the AFL finals in seventh. They then stunned the league with two close finals wins on the road before falling to Collingwood in a one-point thriller.

“I’m certainly very proud of the group, of their development, the way they fight, the way they hang in every game, the way they play to the last minute,” first-year coach Adam Kingsley said.

“They’re a really special group. We need to make sure we maintain that level and improve.” Collingwood will now meet the winner of the Brisbane Lions and Carlton in the AFL grand final.

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.