After 15 years at the GWS Giants as one of their foundation players, club captain Toby Greene is heading back to his home state in search of long-awaited Premiership glory.
Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson reported earlier this week that the Cats had offered the 33-year-old a three-year contract in the vicinity of $3 million, going hard at the big-game star after being snubbed by Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters for the Bulldogs earlier last weekend.
Greene told the Ausamerican Aces podcast just this week that his "mind was f***ing ticking" over the prospect of leaving the only home of his AFL career, but has ultimately put his faith in Chris Scott's Geelong ahead of the Giants as his best chance of tasting Premiership glory during his twilight years.
"The GIANTS have been advised by Toby Greene of his intention to move back to Victoria for family reasons with a view to join the Geelong Football Club," the club said in a very brief statement on Thursday morning.
The out-of-contract Greene is an unrestricted free agent, meaning that the Giants cannot match Geelong's contract offer or force a trade from the Cats, but GWS could be eligible for compensatory draft picks as a result.
It appears almost certain now that the Giants will get draft picks through a net loss of free agents, with Greene already the fourth player to leave the club as a free agent, and the pair of Harry Himmelberg and Lachie Whitfield also looming as potential trades this summer.
GWS Giants CEO Dave Matthews paid tribute to Greene's 15-year service on Thursday morning, describing him as "a very celebrated figure at our club".
"I expected this," Matthews told SEN radio.
"I think the fact the decision dragged out really reflects how torn he's been and how much he feels a part of the Giants. He'll always be a Giant.
"It was just a really difficult one for him, and I think that's probably a good reflection on our club that it's not an easy decision for him.
"That tells you that you know the club's in good shape, and he feels such a strong affection for the playing group and enjoys playing for Adam (Kingsley) and all the things that go with it.
"He's been a very celebrated figure at our club, a very important person, and I know this has been a really tough decision, and one he's largely made for family reasons."
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
