Antagonist won’t be changing wild ways

TOBY Greene admits clocking Alex Rance was “stupid” but the combative forward is unrepentant about other misdeeds this AFL season.

Greater Western Sydney star Greene looms large as the league’s villain this September, likely to be booed by opposition fans whenever he touches the ball based on recent weeks.

The treatment stems from five match-review-panel charges this year. The most recent incident was a boot to the face of Western Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus that resulted in a fine, cut lip and widespread condemnation. Greene, who is in line to make it back-to-back All Australian gongs on Wednesday night, doesn’t believe he did “anything wrong”.

“I can’t guarantee in my next marking contest that I won’t protect myself with my knee,” Greene said.

“That’s just how I play footy. From what I’m aware you’re ... entitled to do what you want to protect yourself.

“That’s a natural reaction of mine, to protect myself ... it’s unfortunate he got hit in the head but obviously I didn’t mean to kick him in the head.”

His comments are likely to ignite a fresh firestorm.

Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy, Melbourne veteran Jordan Lewis and Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt are among the current players to already suggest that Greene should not have flung his foot out.

“The MRP handled it well,” Greene said, welcoming the prospect of a hostile reception in next Thursday’s final against Adelaide.

“I don’t think I need to change my game.

“Just that (Rance) incident, I got to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Greene was slapped with a two-match ban for a jumper punch on Rance in Round 18. “Really stupid,” he said. “You just can’t do anything off the ball these days. You can do whatever you want if you’re going for the ball.”