GWS ruckman Shane Mumford has slammed as ridiculous the amount of flak teammate Toby Greene receives from opposing supporters.
The polarising Giant will on Tuesday contest a one-match ban for making unreasonable or unnecessary contact to the eye region of Brisbane’s Lachie Neale in the semi-final victory at the Gabba.
It comes little more than a week since his last appearance before the tribunal in Melbourne.
Greene pleaded guilty at the tribunal last Monday and was fined $7500, after his direct referral on a misconduct charge, after several incidents where he made contact with the face of Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli.
Greene will be the second high profile player in as many nights to front the tribunal.
Geelong forward Tom Hawkins on Monday failed to overturn a one-match striking ban for collecting Eagles’ defender Will Schofield.
GWS foundation player Greene has been hit with several fines in his eight season career, but his teammates love this competitive spirit and the way he plays on the edge.
Renowned GWS hard nut Mumford, another Giant who has also copped his share of opprobrium from opposing fans, launched a stout defence of Greene.
‘”I find it quite ridiculous at times the amount of stuff he cops from opposition supporters,” Mumford told AAP.
“He’s just a good strong player that goes hard at the footy and cops a lot more grief than probably whats warranted.”
Lions’ coach Chris Fagan told radio station SEN Neale felt contact, but had no idea who it was from and it hadn’t been enough to stop him playing and just caused him disturbance for a few seconds.
“It wasn’t in the eyes, it was more to the nose is what he said to me yesterday,” Fagan told SEN.