GIANTS coach Leon Cameron has lauded a "phenomenal" return to footy from star forward Toby Greene against the Swans in Saturday's elimination final.
Greene, who hadn't played since injuring his hamstring against Carlton in round 20, destroyed the Swans with 27 possessions, nine marks, eight inside
However, his night wasn't without controversy, with the gun forward drawing the wrath of Swans fans at the ground with his unconventional marking technique.
The 24-year-old planted his outstretched right leg into the ribs of Swan Nic Newman late in the game and took a chest mark inside the GIANTS' forward 50, in
Cameron didn't want to be drawn into a discussion over the incident.
"I know he was in strife last year against the Western Bulldogs but that was different because it wasn't in a marking contest, it was a free ball," he said.
"You've got to be able to protect yourself when people are coming back into your space on the mark.
"I don't want to talk about his (marking) style too much because I reckon we'll get away from what he did, and that
The 2016 club champion and All Australian played just seven games during the home and away
Cameron wanted no credit for Greene's brilliant comeback game that ended Sydney's season.
"It was a phenomenal effort," he said post-match.
"It hasn't worked for Toby this year, but to step up on the big stage and do what he did, I'm not responsible for teaching him that, that's in him.
"We're rapt that he's at our footy club and our boys love playing with him.
"He wants to play competitive footy and his teammates no doubt walk a lot taller when he's out there.
"He just plays a super-competitive brand and he wants to win every contest and having guys like that in our front end makes our work up the field a lot easier."
Greene was one of four important inclusions against the Swans, with Brett Deledio and Matt de Boer also coming in after being injured in round 20, and defender Zac Williams making his first senior appearance of the year.
The quartet were all crucial for the winners, and Cameron paid tribute to the GIANTS' medical and conditioning staff for the way they prepared his players.
"You pick them with confidence after what we'd seen (at training) but there's always a little bit of doubt," he said.
"But the four of them performed really, really well.
"From Toby and Brett and Matty in the front
"There's no doubt they're hungry for more, so we have to get them ready for next week."
