AFL bad boy banned yet again after elbowing Patrick Dangerfield

The GWS Giants’ Toby Greene has been handed a one-game ban having been found guilty of careless conduct after a tribunal hearing that lasted for two hours.

The incident occurred in the first quarter of the clash between GWS and the Geelong at GMHBA Stadium last Friday night, which GWS won by 19 points in a huge upset.

The tribunal jury downgraded the impact from high to medium, taking into account the medical report provided by Geelong.

They believed Greene chose to use a raised elbow to fend off Dangerfield in circumstances there was a likely chance of high contact occurring.

After collecting a ground ball, Greene raised his arm to defend himself as Dangerfield attempted to tackle him. Greene’s elbow then made sharp contact with Dangerfield, who was awarded a free kick for a high fend-off but fell to the turf before coming to the bench.

Greene will sit out GWS’ game this weekend after being hit with a one-match ban for elbowing Patrick Dangerfield. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

The star midfielder was replaced at quarter time by Geelong’s medical substitute Quinton Narkle.

Dangerfield suffered a bruised larynx from the incident and was taken to hospital, where he spent the night before being released on Saturday.

Greene will sit out the Giants’ game against Richmond on Saturday, but will return for the final game of the regular season against Carlton on August 21.

The Giants occupy the last spot in the eight, but are only two points ahead of Essendon who are breathing down their necks.

Greene’s incident with Dangerfield was originally classified by match review officer Michael Christian as careless conduct, high contact and high impact.

The GWS man was represented at the tribunal by former AFL football boss Adrian Anderson.

Anderson claimed Greene’s raised elbow was a reflex action, and Dangerfield slipped right before contact was made, which resulted in the high contact.

Anderson pointed out Greene didn’t leave the ground and his elbow and forearm didn’t go above shoulder height.

Greene is no stranger to the tribunal. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Greene pleaded not guilty and argued his conduct was not careless, and originally hoped to downgrade the level of impact from high to medium, which eventuated.

AFL counsel Jeff Gleeson believed Greene’s contact with Dangerfield was essentially the definition of careless, and he should have anticipated the Geelong star lowering himself into the tackling action.

Greene is no stranger to controversy, or the tribunal. Over the course of his career, he has copped over $26,000 in fines, been suspended for more than seven games and has been charged over 18 times.

Previously speaking on his bad behaviour, Greene told 3AW “I’ve got to obviously reign it in a bit, but I can’t say I’ll ever stop doing it.”

“It’s part of what I’ve been doing for a long time and as long as you keep playing every week I’ll just keep trying to do what I can.”

Greene was an All-Australian selection in 2016, and won Kevin Sheedy award for GWS best and fairest in the same year.

GWS are seeking to make the top eight for the fifth time in sixth seasons, having missed out in 2020.

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