Million dollar man
Giants keen to sign Greene to long deal
GREATER Western Sydney wants to sign Toby Greene to a long-term deal that could make the star forward one of its highest-paid players.
Greene will enter the final year of his contract next season and could command as much as $1 million a year, according to commentator Garry Lyon.
The Giants are keen to lock up the 2016 best-and-fairest winner to a multiyear deal to avoid the goalkicker becoming a free agent in 2019.
His prized signature is a top priority for new list manager Jason McCartney when the former Western Bulldogs list chief officially starts the new role at GWS in February.
The Giants are confident Greene is in no danger of leaving the club and wants to drive it towards its first premiership next season.
Greene, who was one of the most dangerous half-forwards in the game last season, already indicated to former list chief Craig Cameron earlier this year he would consider a long-term contract, potentially making him a Giant for life.
The 24-year-old is happily settled in Sydney approaching his seventh AFL season. But GWS may yet face a tricky negotiation with the club dealing with a tight salary cap after signing a host of stars, including Josh Kelly, Dylan Shiel and Jeremy Cameron, to high-end contracts.
Key defender Phil Davis is also out of contract next year along with veteran recruit Ryan Griffen.
Greene would likely command a minimum of $750,000 a year next season, after narrowly missing All-Australian selection. He has booted 89 goals and averaged 20 possessions a game over his past two seasons.
Lyon said Greene was one of the Giants’ most important and valuable players.
“Toby Greene is the player who I would be throwing all the money at,” Lyon said. “You need to put Greene in the ‘Buddy’ [Franklin] category for his ability to influence and win games.
“He is more important than Kelly. He is a better player than Kelly because he is multi-dimensional. I’m not knocking Kelly, he is extraordinary. That’s how highly I rate Greene.”