Gil McLachlan responds as ’emotional’ Giants slam tribunal system
AFL boss Gil McLachlan has defended the league’s disciplinary system in the face of “emotional” criticism from the angry Toby Greene camp.
Greene will miss Saturday’s preliminary final against Collingwood after his appeal against a one-week ban for making unreasonable contact to Lachie Neale’s face failed.
Click PLAY to watch the incident
Toby Greene has had his one-match suspension upheld by the AFL Tribunal.
Greene will be unavailable for Greater Western Sydney’s Preliminary Final match against Collingwood on Saturday night.
Details: https://t.co/sWrBR1RaMi pic.twitter.com/rckezWkHun
— AFL (@AFL) September 17, 2019
It was the second time in as many weeks that Greene, a self-confessed on-field agitator, has faced the tribunal for an incident in which his hands have targeted an opponent’s face.
He was cleared for misconduct the previous week, but the Giants are today seething with yesterday’s guilty verdict.
They claim Greene has been suspended on reputation and have whacked the system.
GWS chief Dave Matthews this morning told Macquarie Sports Radio he has “very little confidence in the system”.
Meanwhile, Greene’s manager, Paul Connors, claimed it was the worst decision he’s seen in 20 years.
McLachlan wouldn’t comment on whether he agreed with the suspension, but said the system was “one hundred per cent” fair.
“I think that’s clearly wrong.”
Gil McLachlan reacts to angry comments from the GWS chief and Toby Greene’s “emotional” manager.
Full interview: https://t.co/uZlZVwfJ3l pic.twitter.com/Bywe6Gs2ry
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) September 20, 2019
While not commenting on whether he thinks Greene deserved a week, McLachlan not shy on Greene’s agent Paul Connors claiming his player was suspended on reputation.
“I think it’s clearly wrong (what Connors said). Paul was clearly emotional.”
— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) September 19, 2019
“It’s subjective,” he said after hearing the comments.
“You (Neil Mitchell) think he should’ve got more, the CEO (Matthews) thinks he should’ve got off.
“That’s football.”
Click PLAY to hear the full Gil McLachlan interview
Neil Mitchell said Greene only has himself to blame, and was lucky not to receive a harsher penalty.
“Toby Greene plays the game hard, but too often hard and unfair.
“Perhaps this will wake him up to himself.
“He is a top class player, could be a great of the game, but he needs to straighten out his attitude.”