James Hird supports Toby Greene in hopes of avoiding fine following controversial tunnelling incident

James Hird has expressed confidence that Toby Greene will avoid a stint on the sidelines as the GWS star awaits news on whether he will face charges for a potential tunnelling incident.

Greene was involved in a heavy collision with West Coast’s Matt Owies on Sunday while the latter attempted to take a mark.

The GWS captain collided with the airborne Owies, who came down hard onto the ground.

A brief stoppage in play was necessary while medical staff assisted Owies back to his feet.

The Match Review Officer has yet to provide clarity on whether charges will be laid against Greene, but Hird is optimistic the GWS captain will not face sanctions.

“That contest was really about bracing for impact and both players collided from each other’s blind spots. Greene was watching the kicker closely,” Hird commented on Nine’s Footy Furnace.

“As far as I know, players are still allowed to make contact in AFL – so there should be no fine.”

Greene’s history as the second most fined player in the league—only behind Zak Butters—means he might face a tribunal hearing that could lead to a brief suspension.

Hird pointed out that other tunnelling incidents observed in the league this season do not compare to Greene’s situation.

For instance, Bayley Fritsch was penalised by the MRO for a tunnelling incident involving Geelong’s Tom Stewart during Melbourne’s 39-point defeat last Friday.

This has led to widespread concern that a fine doesn’t suffice as a proper punishment for such actions.

Fritsch has yet to decide whether to accept a $2500 fine, which could be reduced to $1500 if he enters an early plea.

In round two, Essendon’s Mason Redman also faced a $1000 fine for a tunnelling offence against Adelaide’s top forward, Riley Thilthorpe.