Greene a better fit for Izzy's jersey

The GWS Giants revealed their guernsey numbers for 2013 at Moore Park and Toby Greene got the famed No.4. Source: News Limited

THE man who will take over Israel Folau's number at the GWS Giants will almost certainly rack up more possessions in three games than the multi-million-dollar code-crosser did in his entire career in the AFL.

Ball magnet Toby Greene has decided to give up his old No.35 for Folau's No.4.

Greene chalked up a staggering 539 possessions at an average of 28.4 in his first season in senior football compared to Folau's 80 at an average of 6.2."When Izzy retired (Giants welfare manager) Craig Lambert asked if I wanted his number and I thought, 'Why not?" ' Greene told The Daily Telegraph.

"Izzy is a great bloke and was respected by the players. But I liked No.4 because I had it in my junior days a couple of times.

"There are a few of the better players in the competition who wear No.4, like Hanners (Sydney Swan Dan Hannebery) and Jobe Watson at Essendon."

If Greene continues his dramatic improvement, it won't be long before his name is mentioned alongside the Watsons and Hanneberys.

The 19-year-old aimed for a modest 10 games in his first season last year, but ended up with 19 by showcasing form that was a revelation.

He continued to rack up 30-plus possession games week after week and was runner-up in the club's best-and-fairest behind co-captain Callan Ward.

Coach Kevin Sheedy described Greene as the "best ball magnet he has seen in 30 years in football".

He picked up 38 possessions in a match on two occasions and matched it with the best teams in the competition when he snared 35 and 34 against Collingwood and Hawthorn respectively.

"I learned something every week playing on the best players in the competition," he said. "Hopefully I can become more damaging with my disposals and kick a few more goals."

Last year Greene kicked eight goals. He is aiming to at least double that.

"I kicked more behinds than goals - I want to change that around," Greene said.

Greene is backing up his ambition with action - winning the GWS Giants' first 3km time trial before Christmas.

The next challenge is sure to come from opposition clubs who are certain to pay more attention to the man who wears No.4 this year.

"If it (extra attention from opposition) does come it's something I have to get used to," Greene said.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Greene a better fit for Izzy's jersey

Dengan url

http://kurcacikurcaca.blogspot.com/2013/01/greene-better-fit-for-izzys-jersey.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Greene a better fit for Izzy's jersey

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Greene a better fit for Izzy's jersey

sebagai sumbernya