TRANSFORMED is a word that could be used best to describe Toby Greene.  

On and off the field the 24-year-old has turned his life around, like many young people do, and in doing so he's become the Giants' most important player.

Giant deal: GWS locks away Toby for six years

Big call? Maybe. But Greene is a rare breed in that he wins games of footy. He's that good.  

As a footballer, he burst onto the AFL scene in 2012 as a free-wheeling midfielder who gathered the footy at will and, up until last year when he was trumped by Josh Kelly, Greene's 42 touches against Collingwood in round 22, 2014, was a club record.  

He's now switched roles and is regarded as an elite small forward after winning the club champion award in 2016, when he set new club marks for goal assists and inside 50s, while booting 44 goals of his own.  

His only real worry was some MRP troubles early in 2017 but he looks to have a handle on his short fuse.  

As a young man he had his stumbles off the field; he was fined $2500 by the courts for his part in a bar brawl in 2014, which resulted in a club-imposed five-game suspension for drinking while injured.  

He's now one of the Giants' most respected players, known for his work ethic on the training track and fierce desire to never be beaten by his opponent.  

Greene attacks match simulation at training just like he would a preliminary final at the MCG, and that intensity is what makes him so good, and so tough to beat.  

It's that mindset that comes to the fore in critical moments, in massive games.  

Like his goal from the boundary in Canberra to seal victory over the Western Bulldogs last year, or his two clutch majors against West Coast in Perth to help the Giants to their first ever win over the Eagles.  

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more popular player inside the walls at GWS. His teammates are drawn to his larrikin nature and quick wit, but most importantly, his loyalty to back them without question.  

It's a quality that has caused him grief in the past, but one he'll never discard.
 
Toby Greene and Heath Shaw chat with Mark LeCras in last year's semi-final. Picture: AFL Photos

There was likely a time some years back, albeit brief, that GWS officials might have thought about unloading Greene, after all they had plenty of young guns with endless talent at their disposal.  

But there's little doubt the club would be ecstatic with their decision to persevere with the once-wayward star.  

Equally, Greene is buoyed by his club's faith in him and remains determined to repay them the best way he can, by winning games of footy.  

And you know he'll pull out every trick in the book to win every game of footy he plays for the next six years.