‘Clear athletic advantage’: Giants skipper opens up on deciding factor against sluggish Pies

Greater Western Sydney captain Toby Greene has made a bold statement in the wake of his side’s convincing win over Collingwood in Opening Round.

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The Giants ran over the top of the Pies in their opening encounter of 2025, proving to be fitter, faster and stronger.

With the alarm bells ringing for the Pies now, Greene says there was a “clear athletic advantage” for his team.

“In the last 15 minutes, there was a clear athletic advantage,” he told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night.

“You could sort of feel it as a player and it was pretty evident from watching from what I hear, which you don’t usually get too often in AFL footy,” Greene continued.

“I guess we’re in good shape and maybe the humidity might have played a bit more of a role in fatiguing them.

“We’re certainly in a position to attack four quarters of footy … hopefully we can roll that out against Melbourne again and play at the high intensity that hopefully teams can’t match.

While the Pies were competitive early, their wayward kicking in front of goal meant they never really asserted themselves on the contest.

Adam Kingsley’s Giants side booted seven goals to two in the second half, running away as 52-point victors.

Both sides had players cramping during the second half, but Collingwood were certainly feeling the effects of the heat more than the Giants, including star midfielder Nick Daicos.

After being bundled out in straight sets last season, Greene said it was good to be back on the winner’s list and that the side were full of confidence heading into 2025.

“It was good to have that reassuring performance on the weekend that maybe we can compete with good teams and it’s really motivating to get into the season and try to finish in the top four,” Greene said.

Greene was fined for two separate incidents in the Pies clash, reclaiming the mantle as the most fined current player in the game.

“Hopefully that’s the last one for the year. I’ve got a wedding as well at the end of the year that I’ve got to pay for and this isn’t helping,” Greene laughed.

“I did get a text message as I do most Monday’s that they’re looking at four or five things. It is what it is, I’ve got to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

Greene was fined $10,000 for kneeing Collingwood’s Reef McInnes in a contest.

“It was a bit of a split-second reaction, trying to stick a foot out. It was a bit of an unnatural position; I certainly wouldn’t be trying to do that again.”

The Giants continue their 2025 season against Melbourne this weekend.