Tom Green has opened up about his decision to remain at GWS, revealing the rival AFL interest in his services was "humbling" but ultimately couldn't outweigh his connection to the Giants and everything the club has given him.
Green signed a two-year extension as Tasmania came hard with a large chequebook, whilst other clubs considered making a huge play for the star on-baller.
The midfielder came through the Academy, and after a massive off-season of change, including the departures of Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Kieren Briggs and Jake Stringer, the 25-year-old wanted to repay the faith.
"The Giants have invested a lot in me, and so I feel like I want to repay that faith, and I've really enjoyed my time at the Giants," Green said.
"What they've been able to do for me as a young player coming through the academy up until this point, the way they've supported myself, my family and the way this club has made me feel, it was really hard to walk away from.
"There's also a massive element of unfinished business, so it's something that would've made it way too difficult to step away from. It's a place I want to be. There are things I want to achieve. There are things this club can achieve, and for myself and my teammates, I want to be able to.
"I didn't feel the time was right to walk away from that."
Green spoke on the "unique" feelings he had following the interest from AFL rivals, and their desire to lure him out of the Giants.
But ultimately, he wanted to stay put.
"It was a humbling experience," he said.
"You're obviously desired by the club, and that was great. But to have other clubs come in that way as well, it was unique and very humbling. I suppose it's a fortunate position but as I said, it's a club that has given me so much, and I need to continue to be giving back."
Compounding Green's monumental future decision was his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the eve of the 2026 season, sidelining him amid a difficult season for the club.
The contested bull is eyeing a return in Round 1, providing a positive update on his recovery.
"It's going really well. I am going to touch wood," Green said.
"There's still a lot of time between now and Round 1. A lot of hoops to jump through, but basically it's going as well as I could possibly hope so far. It's nice to be back doing big training sessions and building my footy back up.
"It has been a long nine months. It was really difficult to watch from the sidelines and still try to find ways to contribute to the group.
Green is seen as the likeliest captain replacement after his namesake, Greene, departed as a free agent to Geelong.
The on-field leader was named in the 2026 leadership group, and used his injury to develop his nous for the game from the coaches' box as well as finding new ways to contribute.
"What it has confirmed for me, and the suspicion I have, is that the game is a whole lot easier from the stands than it is the field," he said.
"It's reasonably well known but it maybe doesn't get the credit it deserves. I'm hopeful that experience, hoping I don't sit on the sidelines again, hopeful that the learnings I got out of this year will be beneficial for next season on the track. There was a bunch of other ways I grew this year as a person and a leader."
Green's expected return to football will be against Adelaide in South Australia in Round 1, 2027.
