With his side's disappointing season now completed, GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley has addressed the speculation around a quartet of forwards when speaking to the media following Round 24's loss to the Adelaide Crows.
Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer have been linked with the possibility of a fourth club each for much of the year, with the latter all but confirming his desire to return to Melbourne earlier this week.
If it was to be a final outing in orange for "The Package", he left on a high, booting six majors - one of which was characterised by his trademark flair - and gleaning his flowers from Kingsley for his efforts.
“I think he's been brilliant for us. Tonight kind of capped it all, what he's been for us," Kingsley said.
"In the locker room he's great company, he's a great teammate. It's sad to see him go, but that's footy."
Jake Stringer is kicking them from EVERYWHERE in game 250 🤯#AFLCrowsGiants pic.twitter.com/EENxBi63TW
— AFL (@AFL) August 22, 2026
Kingsley also concedes Coleman Medallist Hogan is likely to head for the exits, citing green shoots up forward as consolation should that occur.
“I'd say he's (Hogan) more likely to leave than stay. That's the nature of footy during August and September; that's what happens at clubs.
“I think we've seen a young pairing up front in Aaron Cadman and Max Gruzewski really grow. We've missed Jake Riccardi heavily for a large chunk of the season; he would have been that more experienced leader ahead of the ball that we needed, as well as Jesse."
However, it is the future of skipper, club legend and inaugural player Toby Greene that has attracted the most conjecture, and appears to be of the most consequence.
Kingsley was effusive in his praise of his reformed bad boy of the competition.
“In due course, he'll make the decision. Now the season has finished, he'll assess with his family, according to my information. They'll make a decision, and hopefully that's sooner rather than later, but we'll give him as much time as he needs," Kingsley said.
“Clearly he's been our best player. He's been huge for us and continues to be. I would argue this year, in a really challenging year for us, he's led as good or probably better than, he ever has. I think he's been outstanding for us this year on the field and particularly off the field.”
The club's all-time leading goal-kicker, Greene kicked 34 goals in 21 games in his 15th season with the Giants.
“He'll be sorely missed if he decides to leave. He'll bring a lot of smiles to faces if he decides to stay, and that's what we're hopeful of," Kingsley said.
Fellow inaugural Giant, midfielder-turned-forward Stephen Coniglio finds himself in a similar limbo with regard to his future, his coach offered.
“We're hopeful. He's a bit in Toby's boat at the moment. He's yet to make a decision. We're working through that with his management, and hopefully he'll make a decision sooner rather than later."
