The AFL’s appeal against Toby Greene’s three-match ban for making intentional contact with an umpire will be heard next Thursday.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said it was “hard to reconcile” that Greene was only suspended for three matches for purposely brushing shoulders with umpire Matt Stevic during the Giants’ elimination final win over Sydney on August 28.

The tribunal had found Greene’s actions were aggressive, demonstrative, and disrespectful.

The league appealed the decision in the days after the tribunal’s decision, and the matter will be heard at the AFL Appeals Board next Thursday.

GWS football boss Jason McCartney doesn’t believe Greene will need to be present for the hearing.

As it stands, Greene will be suspended for the first two weeks of the 2022 season.

But if the AFL gets their way, Greene’s suspension will be increased to six games in a scenario that would rule him out of the opening five rounds.

That would be a bitter blow to the Giants’ finals hopes.

Greene has already served one week of the suspension – his team’s 35-point semi-final loss to Geelong. 

The AFL’s appeal against Greene’s three-week ban was delayed until after the season to allow the Giants to focus on their finals campaign, which ultimately ended at the hands of the Cats. 

AAP

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