For Tom Green, the decision to recommit to the GIANTS was simple. He has unfinished business.  

Last week the star midfielder put pen to paper on a new two-year deal to see him remain a GIANT through until at least the end of the 2029 AFL season, despite attracting significant interest from rival clubs.  

Having spent seven seasons as a GIANT, following several more in the club's Academy, Green is determined to play his part in history as the club continues its pursuit of a maiden premiership.  

“Without a doubt, a massive element of it was unfinished business,” Green said. 

“That's something that, again, would have made it way too difficult to step away from. This is the place that I want to be. 

“There are things that I want to achieve, and things that I think this club can achieve with myself and my teammates. I want to be able to be part of that, and I didn't feel like the time was right to walk away.” 

Green also felt a strong desire to repay the club for the investment it has made in him since he was a teenager coming through the GIANTS Academy. 

“The GIANTS have invested a lot in me, and I’d like to repay a little bit of that faith. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.  

“What they were willing to do for me as a young player coming through the Academy, and the way they've supported myself and my family, made it something that was really hard to walk away from.”

Green's signature was highly sought after, and while the midfielder admits it was a unique position to be in, he knew the best decision was to remain a GIANT.  

“It was a humbling experience,” he said. 

“You're obviously desired by the club [the GIANTS], and that was great. But to have other clubs come in, in that sort of way as well, was unique and very, very humbling. 

“I suppose it's a fortunate position to be in. It was a little bit unique, but, like I said, at the end of the day, this is the club that's given me so much, and I feel like I need to continue giving back to it.” 

Having missed the entire 2026 season with a ruptured ACL suffered in February, Green started running in July and continues to progress well as he sets the foundation for a return to the field in 2027.   

“It's going really well,” he said.  

“Again, I'm going to just touch wood because we don't want anything to happen, but there's a lot of time between now and round one and a lot of hoops to jump through. 

“So far it's going as well as I could possibly hope. It's nice to be back doing some big training sessions and really building my footy back up, my change of direction and all that sort of thing. 

“It has been a long nine months [since the surgery], and it was a really difficult season to watch from the sidelines and still try to find ways to contribute to the group. But, it's going as well as I could hope.”  

While the 2025 Kevin Sheedy Medallist spent the season watching from the sidelines, the experience also provided an opportunity to develop his understanding of the game from a different perspective. Green even spent time in the coaches' box on game day, finding new ways to contribute to the group while expanding his knowledge of the game. 

“I'm really hopeful that the experience, although I wish I didn't have to sit on the sidelines this year, and some of the learnings I got out of this year, will be beneficial for next season on the track. 

“I also feel like there were a bunch of other ways that I grew this year as a person and as a leader for this football club, and I'm really hopeful that will help going into next year.” 

The GIANTS will enter a new phase in 2027, with some list changes creating opportunities for the next generation of GIANTS to make their mark. 

While those departures were among some of his closest friends, Green is excited about what many of the club’s talented youngsters can produce next season. 

“It's a really exciting time for the club ahead. The young guys have a void to fill, and I've got great faith that they will do that. 

“Losing good people like that is always a little bit upsetting. Any time you've got to say goodbye to mates that you're used to seeing every single day, that's not a particularly fun thing. 

“But I am really excited about the opportunity and the growth that that can give, and the space for growth for younger players and for us as a list in general. 

“Sometimes you need to make some changes like that to allow people to grow into that space.” 

Green believes several youngsters are more than ready to take their chances in 2027. 

“There are obvious ones like Darcy Jones. We missed a whole year of Darcy last year, and I think he's going to be incredibly exciting. 

“He had to be held back at the back end of the year. When I say held back, he was just about ready to go, but they ended up erring on the side of caution. He's going to be super exciting. 

“Cody Angove is another. Managing to get some really consistent VFL games into him in the back half of last year is going to put him in really good stead. 

“Jack Ough as well just keeps getting better and better. We saw a little bit of him at AFL level this year, and he showed that he's really, really capable. 

“The forward line as a whole looks really, really different going into next year, and I'm excited to see how they all work together. 

“Overall there are a lot of exciting parts to look forward to.” 

While the club's younger players aren't officially due back to begin pre-season until this coming Monday, Green and the rest of the rehabilitation group have been joined at the club by a large portion of the playing list in recent weeks as preparations for 2027 gather momentum. 

The commitment from the group has created a real sense of positivity, with Green excited by what lies ahead. 

“I think it's one of real excitement,” he said of the mood around the group.  

“I'm certainly looking at it thinking the guys have got a great opportunity to not only grab a place in this side and make it their own, but really start contributing in a massive way, and I think a lot of the young guys are really looking forward to doing that. 

“I also think there's a little bit of motivation because last year was clearly not the year we wanted to have as a club. One thing I love about this club is that that's not a standard we accept. 

“I'm really hopeful that next year is going to be better than that. I think there's a real hunger in the group to make next year a whole lot better than this year was.” 

From a personal standpoint, the young leader kept it simple when asked what he’s most looking forward to in 2027. 

“Playing again. It's quite simple for me.” 

“There are other things that we'll get into later and that we want to achieve and all that sort of stuff, but being in and around the guys throughout the year, being there for the wins and being there for the losses, the number one feeling I'm missing in football is being in the rooms post-game after a hard-fought win. 

“As an individual, if you're able to contribute to that, it's the best feeling in football. 

“I'm looking forward to, at some point next year, being able to pull our jerseys on again, run out there with my mates, go and get a hard-fought win and enjoy that feeling in the change rooms afterwards.”