FIREBRAND Greater Western Sydney forward Toby Greene won't be changing the way he attacks the footy, despite the controversial incident that left Western Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus with a bloodied face in round 21. 

Greene escaped suspension when his boot made contact with Dahlhaus' chin, but the Match Review Panel fined him $1500 with an early guilty plea for misconduct. 

The star forward had launched himself into the air, boot first, to receive a handball when he collected the Dogs midfielder, an action he's done countless times in marking contests over the year. 

Speaking to the media for the first time since that Friday night match, the 23-year-old said he would continue to play the way he knows best to help the Giants win games.  

"I can't guarantee that in my next marking contest I won't protect myself with my knee, that's just how I play footy, and as far as I'm aware you're allowed to do it," he said. 

"If your eyes are on the footy, you're entitled to do what you can to protect yourself.

"It's unfortunate that Luke (Dahlhaus) got hit in the head but obviously I didn't mean to kick him in the head. I was just guarding the space.

"Maybe the media speculation was a lot greater because of my history, but I can't control my reputation." 

Greene has been banned twice this year for separate striking charges, missing a total of four games for a late whack on Bulldog Caleb Daniel in round six, and a jumper punch on Richmond's Alex Rance in round 18.

He maintains that his hit on Daniel was a genuine attempt to spoil gone wrong, but even though he admitted his second suspension stemming from the Tigers clash was a brain fade, Greene hasn't undertaken any anger management to help him control his temper. 

"The (Alex) Rance thing was just really stupid," he said.

"The leadership group were disappointed and don't want me missing games, so I've just got to learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen again. 

"They're in that role for a reason and if those conversations have to be had, they have to be had. 

"I take it as it is and deserved every bit of it." 

The Giants finished the regular season with a disappointing 44-point loss to Geelong at Simonds Stadium, a loss that cost them a home qualifying final and forces them to travel to Adelaide to take on the minor premiers on Thursday week. 

Greene said the pre-finals bye had allowed GWS to scrutinise the performance and the players learnt plenty from the Cats.

"We got out-hunted, Geelong were awesome around the ball and they gave us a lesson in contested footy," he said.

"It was pretty obvious that they just wanted it more on the night.

"I think it's a little bit of mindset, a little bit of technique, a little bit of everything.

"I don't think we've played two games in a row and it's a bit of a wake-up call for us. 

"Maybe we were just a little bit flat but I can guarantee we won't be like that against Adelaide."