GWS Captain Toby Greene has openly acknowledged that he concealed concussion symptoms from the club’s medical staff during the early stages of his career in order to ensure his availability for weekend matches.
Greene’s candid remarks come shortly after Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy announced his retirement from the AFL due to recurring concussions. Murphy’s decision mirrors that of former Melbourne player Angus Brayshaw, who retired early due to ongoing struggles with concussion-related issues.
Furthermore, Greene’s admission follows teammate and All-Australian defender Sam Taylor’s alarming concussion incident during Saturday’s match against St Kilda. Taylor underwent assessment at Canberra Hospital and was thankfully cleared of any serious injury. However, he is now undergoing concussion protocols and will be absent from Round 6.
Wishing Sam Taylor all the best after he was stretchered off following a heavy collision 🧡#AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/OiMQ9kYYsU
— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2024
In a surprising revelation, Greene disclosed on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 that he had opted not to disclose concussion symptoms to GWS doctors on some occasions. Despite this, he clarified that such behavior was not widespread, particularly as players have become more aware of the importance of reporting injuries accurately over time.
Although Greene maintains that he has not significantly altered his playing style, he emphasized an increased awareness of the potential long-term effects of concussions, especially as he has matured in his career.
The GWS Giants are slated to face the Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
