Brett Deledio says GWS teammate Toby Greene needs to look at the way he goes about his footy, after the Giants star received another fine from the AFL tribunal.
Greene – who has now racked up 17 charges and more than $26,000 worth of fines across his AFL career – was fined $7,500 but avoided a suspension after he pleaded guilty at the AFL tribunal to serious misconduct on Western Bulldogs opponent Marcus Bontempelli.
“I think Toby plays his best footy when he’s playing on the edge, he’s one of our leaders and a guy that really stands up in big moments,” Deledio said on Wednesday.
“And I think if he changes the way he plays then he probably might not play to the same standard.”
However, Deledio did acknowledge some modifications may be necessary.
“He needs to look at the way he probably does things a little bit, obviously by going to the tribunal on Monday night, but we love the way Toby goes about it and the way he plays for us.”
Bontempelli was restricted to 13 disposals in the Giants’ elimination final win by a hard tag from Matt de Boer and the Giants are keen to maintain their aggressive approach against Brisbane in Saturday night’s semi-final at the Gabba.
“That was probably the way we wanted to play against the whole Bulldogs team,” Deledio said at the unveiling of a statue of AFLW star Tayla Harris in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
“We did that last year against the Swans as well and our biggest challenge is to be able to do that against the Lions again this week.
“A hard, aggressive brand of footy would be what we’re looking forward to trying to do.”
Deledio, who will retire at season’s end, suffered another calf injury against the Bulldogs and has been ruled out against the Lions, with a return only likely if the Giants make the grand final.
“There’s a little bit of hope that I can heal up really quickly like I have done in the past and and give myself one last crack if the boys can continue to win,” he said.
“It’s probably a long shot. I’m pretty realistic about it.
“I think I need minimum probably 10 days to two weeks of just rest and recovery to allow it to heal and then I have to build up really quickly and roll the dice once again.”