‘Drunk’ father of GWS Giants bad boy Toby Greene is arrested after ‘headbutting a female police officer at the MCG during Grand Final’ as team suffers humiliating defeat
- The father of GWS Giants star Toby Greene was arrested after the AFL match
- Michael Greene allegedly assaulted a female police officer at 5pm on game day
- He and his son reportedly already had a strained relationship before the outburst
Greater Western Sydney Giants star Toby Greene’s father was arrested after his team’s AFL Grand Final loss to the Richmond Tigers.
Michael Greene allegedly assaulted a female police officer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday as he was being escorted out for being too intoxicated.
Police are believed to have removed Mr Greene from male bathrooms about 5pm after complaints from other spectators, The Herald Sun reported.
The father of Greater Western Sydney Giants star Toby Greene (pictured) was arrested after his son’s AFL Grand Final loss to the Richmond Tigers
The publication claimed Mr Greene and his 26-year-old son are estranged and haven’t had a solid relationship in recent years.
Greene’s finals campaign was difficult at best prior to his dad’s arrest.
The half-forward flank’s 20-year-old cousin Finley took his own life in June, as the GWS star and his team worked toward qualifying for their first grand final appearance.
His mother, Kate Greene told 3AW how she had no choice but to break the news to her son over the phone.
‘I had to ring up Toby in Sydney and tell him what happened and he just drove straight to the airport in his shorts and thongs and jumped on the first plane to come home,’ she said.
Toby Greene’s younger cousin Finley, (pictured together as children) tragically took his own life earlier this year
Finley (pictured) was just 20 at the time of his death. Greene was going to dedicate the premiership to his late cousin if his team were able to topple the Tigers
‘Since that, we’re just picking up the pieces.’
Greene was going to dedicate the premiership to his late cousin if his team were able to topple the Tigers.
‘If he wins, he’ll be doing it for Finley,’ Ms Greene said.
‘There’s nothing that will ever make this any better, it’s the most tragic thing that can happen to a family, but it might give us a little bit of happiness for the day.’
A spokeswoman for the GWS Giants refused to comment on the matter allegedly involving Greene’s father.
Victoria Police confirmed a 59-year-old man was removed from the grounds after he headbutted a female officer.
The man was charged with intentionally causing serious injury, assaulting and resisting police.
He is expected to face court on Sunday.
Mr Greene and his son are allegedly estranged and haven’t had a solid relationship in recent years
New legislation recently introduced by the Victorian government requires courts to hand out a minimum sentence of six months behind bars for anybody convicted of assaulting an emergency worker.
Mr Greene was one of 43 people who were ejected from the grand final match on Saturday.
Most of those people were removed for behaviour issues, while others smuggled alcohol and drugs into the event.
Flares were set off in the crowded Richmond precinct as thousands of fans celebrated the win
Police move in as flares are set off on Swan Street as Tigers fans celebrate their team’s victory in the 2019 AFL Grand Final
Other offences included ticketing violations and assaulting police officers.
Two men from Brookfield were also charged with assaulting police.
A 21-year-old allegedly bit an officer, who required treatment in hospital after the attack, while a 27-year-old was charged for hitting an officer on the back of the head.
A further six people were arrested during post match celebrations of the Richmond Tigers 89 point victory over the Giants.
Fans lit flares and set fire to GWS merchandise in celebration of the win.
Dramatic images show police moving into the crowd to protect fans as mobs of rowdy spectators made their way to Swan Street.
Toby Greene’s team lost by 89 points in the deciding match against the Richmond Tigers