Toby Greene will miss the first five matches of the 2022 season after the AFL Appeals Board increased the Greater Western Sydney superstar's suspension to six games for making intentional contact with an umpire.
In delivering the Appeals Board's verdict, chairman Murray Kellam said the sanction needed to be a "strong deterrent" to not only AFL players, but Australian football players all around the country that contact with umpires is not on.
"Intentional contact with umpires will not be tolerated," Kellam said.
"Umpies at all levels have to know they can carry out their vital function with confidence. Respect for umpires is at the heart of the game. The image of the game must be protected.
"This is a message that goes further than AFL players … a message to the Australian football community as a whole. A strong message has to be sent.
"The community must know that umpires will be treated with respect."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/683124
