© Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOSToby Greene (r) has been appointed Stephen Coniglio's (l) vice-captain at Greater Western Sydney.
Firebrand forward Toby Greene has been appointed vice-captain of Greater Wester Sydney as they seek to return to the AFL finals after a disappointing season.
The Giants have confirmed Stephen Coniglio will remain skipper after he and the club struggled in 2020, when they finished 10th then failed to retain Jeremy Cameron and Zac Williams.
Greene will serve as Coniglio's sole deputy in a leadership group that also includes Phil Davis, Jacob Hopper, Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Matt de Boer.
Greene, who has become one of the league's pantomime villains since being drafted in 2011, is no stranger to leading GWS.
The foundation Giants player most recently did the job in round 17 last season, when Coniglio became the first AFL skipper to be dropped in 22 years.
The 27-year-old's Greene's white-line fever is reflected by the fact he has been charged 19 times - and fined almost $30,000 - under the AFL's match-review process.
But Greene's competitive streak, character and mentorship are highly regarded at the Giants, with his standing at the club reflected by his elevation on Wednesday.
"It's an honour to be vice-captain of a club that I love so much and that has given me so much in my life," Greene said.
"Leadership is something I've worked really hard on developing.
"It's an area I want to continue to improve in.
"I'm really proud to support Cogs as our captain. We've got a really strong group that will drive us forward in 2021."
Football manager Jason McCartney described Greene as a "natural fit to become vice-captain", as the Giants prepared to start their 10th season with a match against St Kilda on March 21.
It is young midfielder Hopper's first time in the leadership group, while former co-captain Davis returns after being a notable omission in 2020.
"We welcome Phil back to an official leadership position," McCartney said.
"Although he's never stopped being a strong leader of our club.
"Jacob is quite simply an outstanding player and young leader, he thrives on responsibility."