GWS Giants star Toby Greene has been banned for three games after being found guilty of making intentional contact with an umpire by the AFL.
Greene pleaded not guilty to the charge after footage showed him bumping into umpire Matt Stevic at half-time of the Giants' elimination final win over Sydney on Saturday.
But after a lengthy trial and deliberation process, Greene was found to have made "disrespectful, demonstrative and aggressive" contact with Stevic.
The ban means Greene will not play again in 2021 and, depending on the Giants' progression through the finals, could miss the first two games of next season.
Both Greene and Stevic have given evidence to the tribunal, with the former saying he "strongly disagrees" that contact made was intentional.
He said he was not aware he had made contact with Stevic until it was raised with him in a post-match interview.
"I do apologise for making contact and it's certainly something I wasn't trying to do," Greene said.
Stevic told the tribunal he did not feel Greene's conduct was aggressive and said the contact made was "minor".
"I don't think it's a good look for the game. I would say there's an element of it being disrespectful," Stevic said.
The Giants are set to face Geelong in a semi-final in Perth on Friday night.
More to come.
