NOBODY deserves credit for the way Toby Greene has re-shaped his career more than the man himself, but his Giants 'brother' has also played a huge part.
Steve Johnson arrived at Greater Western Sydney 18 months ago, around the time coach Leon Cameron gave Greene "no choice" but to change his role from a free-wheeling midfielder to that of a permanent forward with licence to roam.
The pair clicked immediately, which should come as no surprise given both men love a goal, a beer and a bet, and dubbed themselves the new 'Krakouer Brothers', after the pair of West Australian siblings with a freakish ability to find each other on the field while playing for North Melbourne in the 1980s and 90s.
As the veteran, Johnson of course assumed the identity of older brother Phil, while Greene became little brother Jim, and the on field results were spectacular for the Giants.
Greene kicked 44 goals last season, 10 more than he had in his previous four combined, was named All Australian and won the best and fairest, while Johnson booted 43, his best return since 2011, and had a major influence on his teammates' breakout season as GWS made the last four in their first finals series.
"It's been good having 'Phil' here," Greene joked.
"No, he's actually been one of the most influential people on me at the club.
"I guess he's played a similar role throughout his career as a high half-forward, or midfield forward, whatever you want to call it.
"He played well in big games, and won flags, so he's someone that I definitely look up too.
"I just try and learn as much as I can off him, he's one of the smartest people I've met in footy.
"He also gives me a few tips for the races, and gave me a couple of good ones throughout the autumn carnival, so I have to thank him there."
On Saturday, Greene will play game 100 when the Giants take on Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium, a fantastic milestone for any player but perhaps more special for those at the AFL's expansion clubs.
Speed has never been one of Greene's greatest assets, but since being drafted as a GWS original in 2011, he has gone from 0-100 quicker than any other Giant, becoming just the second player to bring up a century of games with the club.
Co-captain Callan Ward played made his 100th appearance for GWS against Port Adelaide in round 18 last year, but he began his career with 60 games at the Western Bulldogs.
In typically laid back fashion, the reigning club champion didn't want too much fanfare surrounding this week's game, although he did acknowledge it was quite an occasion.
"It's good, yeah, it's a pretty cool achievement," he said.
"It's probably something I'll look back on and be more proud of than I am right now, but to be part of a club from when it started makes it a bit more significant.
"It's up to the guys who came here at the start to set the foundations and set up what the club stands for, so I guess I feel part of that being someone who has played a few games here."
Greene's milestone, and last year's long list of personal accolades, seemed a long way off early in his career when a series of off-field incidents threatened to stifle his development and perhaps cut short his AFL story.
"I never thought I'd completely blown it, but I definitely had to grow up, that's for sure," he said.
"I guess when I was younger I was a bit of an idiot at times, and this footy club was a big part of helping me grow as a person, and I'm really thankful for that.
"All the people that were part of that, from (GWS CEO) Dave Matthews and (chairman) Tony Shepherd, to Phil (Davis) and 'Wardy' (Callan Ward), they've all been tremendous along the way."
