GIANTS’ defender Connor Idun says star teammate Tom Green continues to be underappreciated and should well and truly be in the mix for a maiden All-Australian blazer this year.

Green is yet to receive the honour after being snubbed of not only a spot in last year’s final All-Australian side but also the 44-man squad despite a stellar season which saw him finish fifth in the 2024 Brownlow Medal.

Green has further enhanced his chances of a maiden blazer in 2025, however, after taking his game to greater heights this season and cementing himself as one of the league’s best midfielders.

In the midst of a career-best campaign, Green currently ranks number one in the AFL for contested possessions per game (15.3), number one in the AFL for clearances per game (8), and number two in the competition for disposals per game (31.2).

Furthermore the 24-year-old is ranked elite across the competition in both kicks (14.3) and handballs (16.9) per game while he’s also increased his disposal efficiency from 64.7 per cent last year to just under 70 per cent this season.

One of the cleanest and most composed inside midfielders in the competition, Green continued his stellar 2025 campaign last weekend where he starred with 35 touches – 18 of which were contested – to go along with seven marks, nine clearances and seven score involvements in the big win over the Eagles at Optus Stadium.

Ahead of a huge clash with the Cats at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, Green’s teammate Idun says the star midfielder would be a very deserving recipient of All-Australian selection this year.

“He’s still so underrated,” Idun said.

“I think because we are up here in Sydney he doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves but he’s an absolute beast and certainly deserves to be right in the mix for All Australian.

“Players like Patty Cripps get a lot of recognition and those two are similar players. I don’t think there’s many players in the league doing what he [Green] does week-in-week-out, performing at such a high level.”

Idun said that the big-bodied midfielder’s ability to perform every week was to be admired, noting he’s also become more damaging with his touches.

“The consistency that he plays with is incredibly impressive,” he said of Green.

“He’s just a contested bull. He gets the ball going our way and we’d be a fair way behind [this year] if we didn’thave him that’s for sure.

“Going into games you know the stats he’s going to have because he’s just become so consistent at playing at such a high level.

“This year he’s added a whole lot of class to his game as well in the way that he’s using the ball which has been really noticeable from behind the ball [in defence].”

Idun added that Green’s leadership has also gone up another level this season, Green’s third year in the GIANTS’ leadership group.

“He’s put in a lot of work in the leadership space and he’s really becoming a great leader at the club. The way that he instructs and really intertwines the forwards with the backs is really important and something that also has a big impact.”

Reinforcing his view on the matter, Idun said Green’s season to date should have him firmly amongst the leading candidates for what would be his first All-Australian nod.

“He always deserves to be in the All-Australian conversation,” Idun stated.

“As I said before, I think because we are up here nestled away in Sydney and we don’t play in the bigger Friday night games every week that it means he doesn’t get recognised like he should.

“But if you take the time to watch him and use the eye test – as well as the numbers to back it up- then you’llsee he’s just a beast and a clearance machine who uses the ball really well.

“He’s also a really selfless teammate.

“There’s no doubt he should be right in [blazer] contention this year and I’d love to see it as it would be an extremely deserving choice.”

Green will look to continue his stellar season –and his All-Australian push - on Saturday when the GIANTS host Geelong in a top eight shaping clash at ENGIE Stadium.