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A remorseful Toby Greene apologised to his teammates for his bump on umpire Matt Stevic,which resulted in a season-ending suspension.Credit:Getty Images

“In terms of his apology,absolutely,he’s in front of the group,and clearly remorseful throughout the week,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said.

“It was an emotional 10 or 15 minutes in front of our entire group throughout the week. We’re not going to be a club that’s going to shy away from things. We need to work out the rights and the wrongs,and we got it wrong last weekend,and he puts his hand up.

“Equally,I said through the week you don’t give up on these players because they’re like your children. Sometimes your kids do some things wrong in life. They need to learn from it and move on. He’s been a wonderful player for us,and I’m really confident we’ll work through some of those challenges in the pre-season.”

Greene will miss at least the first two games of the 2022 season,perhaps more if the AFL is successful in its attempt to extend his suspension.

Captain Stephen Coniglio is another senior Giant under the microscope in the off-season. Dropped in his first season in charge,Coniglio endured another troubled campaign in 2021,with serious ankle and toe injuries limiting him to just seven games.

Off a compromised preparation,he struggled in the finals,restricted to just 14 disposals against the Cats after 11 the previous week against Sydney.

Brisbane great Jonathan Brown has called for Coniglio to give up the captaincy while St Kilda’s longest-serving skipper Nick Riewoldt said the Giant was uncomfortable with the role. Giants chief David Matthews has backed Coniglio to remain in the post,praising his off-field leadership on radio station K-Rock.

Coniglio has been linked with a move back home to Perth with Fremantle,but those close to him do not believe a change of clubs is on his agenda.

The futures of both Toby Greene and Stephen Coniglio are in the spotlight.Credit:Getty

After losing Jeremy Cameron,Zac Williams and Aidan Corr in a tumultuous off-season last year,the Giants are set for a quieter trade and player exchange period.

Jacob Hopper remains unsigned,but the Giants are confident the midfield bull and graduate from their academy program will stay. Veteran Phil Davis is expected to wear the “G” for an 11th season after a campaign marred by injury. Ruckman Shane Mumford will almost certainly retire.

The Giants endured a torrid season in which they were forced on the road for 10 weeks due to Sydney’s COVID-19 crisis and hit hard again by injuries,but recovered from a 0-3 start to make their fifth finals series in six years.

They hold a strong hand in this year’s draft with two selections in the first round,including the No.2 pick they secured from Collingwood last year as part of a future pick swap.

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