Toby Greene will lead the GIANTS into a new era under head coach Adam Kingsley, appointed as standalone captain for the 2023 AFL season.    

29-year-old Greene is a foundation member of the club and one of the most decorated players in GIANTS history.    

The two-time All Australian and Club Champion winner was appointed co-captain ahead of the 2022 AFL season - alongside Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly - and will take the reins as sole captain in 2023.    

Coniglio and Kelly have been appointed vice-captains.  

Greene said he was humbled to be appointed captain of the club he joined as an 18-year-old. 

“It’s a huge honour,” Greene said. 

“I've come a long way and it took a long time, but I’ve done a lot of work on my leadership skills. 

“As a young kid I was probably nowhere near it and was trying to find my way in AFL footy but I’m in my twelfth season now and I’ve been here since the start. 

“It’s a massive honour and I’ll be certainly putting all my time and effort into doing the best job I can.” 

Greene paid tribute to close friends Coniglio and Kelly, who will support Greene across the season.   

“We’ve got a super strong relationship … we have a really strong bond and I’ll be relying heavily on those two throughout the year,” Greene said. 

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with them, alongside the four new players who have been named in the leadership group as well. 

“It’s an exciting mix with the four new guys and the three of us who have been here for a while.” 

The trio will be supported by a new-look leadership group with Tom Green, Harry Perryman, Sam Taylor and Connor Idun officially joining the group for the first time.   

In addition, Brent Daniels, Harry Himmelberg, Lachie Ash and Isaac Cumming have been named in an emerging leaders' group who will work closely with former co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward.    

GIANTS General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said Greene’s appointment followed a comprehensive process that settled on a one-captain model.   

“We’re thrilled to appoint Toby as captain of our club for 2023 and beyond,” he said.  

“Toby is not only one of the most dynamic players in the AFL competition, he’s also an outstanding leader who gets the most out of his teammates and is intent on driving the GIANTS forward to greater heights. 

“Since arriving at our club as an 18-year-old draftee, Toby has not only contributed to building the GIANTS, he has also continued to grow and develop as a player and a leader.  

“With a new head coach and new coaching group, we undertook a thorough leadership process with a preference for one-captain model as we embark on a new chapter for our club.   

“Stephen and Josh have done wonderful jobs in the role and will complement Toby as they work together with our leadership group. We are fortunate to have a range of outstanding leaders within our playing ranks. 

“We congratulate Tom, Harry, Sam and Connor on officially joining the group for the first time. It’s a fantastic recognition of their leadership qualities and influence on our club.  

“This is a leadership group with a variety of skills, experience and attributes to lead us into the future.”  

The GIANTS open their 2023 AFL campaign under new coach Adam Kingsley on Sunday, March 19 against the Adelaide Crows at GIANTS Stadium.