Greater Western Sydney midfielder Toby Greene has the backing of the AFL Players Association as he considers an appeal against his five-game club suspension.

Greene’s manager Paul Connors said they would discuss an appeal over the weekend.

AFLPA official Brett Murphy also said on Friday afternoon that the body considers the suspension is unwarranted, considering the circumstances.

The Giants announced on Friday morning they would ban Greene for five games and fine him $5000.

Greene is facing several serious assault-related charges following an incident on Monday night at a Melbourne nightspot.

He will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 25.

Giants chief executive David Matthews said Greene was being punished because the player had breached club protocols by drinking alcohol after sustaining an injury and failing to properly notify the club after police charged him.

GWS stressed they were not pre-judging anything that might happen regarding the police charges.

Cameron said Greene’s contract had not been in jeopardy.

Greene will receive counselling, but also cannot play in the reserves during his ban.

“We’ll talk to Toby and his family over the weekend and decide whether we go ahead with an appeal … it’s certainly an option we’ll strongly consider,” Connors told Fairfax Media.

Murphy added: “Whilst we support the club not dealing with the alleged incidents for which Toby has been charged at this time to protect the integrity of the criminal process, a five-week suspension for a breach of protocols is grossly disproportionate.”

If the 20-year-old appeals, under the players’ code of conduct he would go before a dispute resolutions panel.

Cameron and the team’s leadership group recommended the penalties and the Giants board agreed.

Greene fronted his teammates and coaches on Friday.

“It was tough for him to stand up and apologise and you could see there was genuine remorse,” Cameron said.

“We have a huge responsibly to help him through that and knowing the kid, he’ll push through these next five weeks and come out bigger and better.”

Giants co-captain Callan Ward added: “Toby has put his hand up, he knows he’s stuffed up.”

Cameron described Greene as a terrific young kid.

He added the club went above and beyond in terms of mentoring the youngest playing list in the AFL.

Outgoing AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou backed the strong stance taken by the Giants.

“He’ll have to face the charges and he’s innocent until proven guilty, but from an AFL and club perspective it was unacceptable and he has apologised,” Demetriou said on Fairfax Radio.

“We welcome the decision from the perspective that it sends a very clear message.”

Carlton defender Simon White is also being investigated by police after a fan accused him of punching him in the mouth, with the two incidents happening during their clubs’ bye weeks.

“I’m hoping this is just a couple of one-offs because the idea of introducing two byes was to give the players some relief from their workload,” Demetriou said.

“We don’t want the bye to be used as some vehicle where the players get in strife, otherwise it would put the concept of the bye in jeopardy.”