But it's the sage advice from a four-time, premiership-winning grandfather that drove Tom Green to his breakout performance. And his AFL Rising Star nomination in the process.

It's fitting the similarity between the words of Michael Green and the "Do something" of Hawthorn great Kennedy, with the Giants going up against the Hawks at Giants Stadium on Sunday a week after Kennedy's death.

They inspired Green to a starring role in the GWS Giants' narrow win over Collingwood last Friday.

It was the 19-year-old's first game back since making his debut in the Giants' season opener.

He was dropped after round one, but returned two games later with his grandfather's words driving him on.

"I spoke to him after the game and he was pleased for the team and pleased for myself that I was able to contribute to that win," Green said.

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"Probably the best bit of advice that I've gotten came from him, and my mom and dad as well, having watched me play - Don't stand back.

"I'm an inside, ball-winning midfielder. Round one I probably stood back. I didn't have my real hunt around the footy that I normally do and I think I brought that to the fore a lot better on Friday night.

"That's probably the best bit of advice that I've ever received, that's what I'm best at and don't lose that."

Lose it Green certainly didn't. He hunted the football, racking up 12 contested possessions from his 18 touches - as well as kicking his first AFL goal.

The Rising Star nomination will see his old Canberra school, Marist, pocket $2500 from the National Australia Bank.

It's also given Green a taste of life in the AFL. And he wants more.

Having toppled the premiership favourites, the Canberra product now wants to be part of the Giants' push towards the finals.

GWS are looking to go one further than making last year's AFL grand final.

"I'd love to just play as much as I can. We're such a good team I'd like to contribute as much as I can for the rest of the season," Green said.

"Coming off a grand-final loss it's no secret we're looking to make another deep run into the finals and my personal goal would be to be able to contribute to that as much as I can.

"I just want to play as much senior footy as I can for the rest of the year and just continue to get better every week, and continue to try and make a positive contribution each game."

Giants ruckman Shane Mumford compared Green to a young Joel Selwood following the performance.

Green was flattered, but felt there was a way to go before being compared with the Geelong great.

"It's probably a bit early for comparisons like that, but it's certainly nice to hear," he said.

"Joel Selwood's a great player and any time you're compared to him it's pretty nice to get."

AFL ROUND TWO

Sunday: GWS Giants v Hawthorn at Giants Stadium, 6.10pm.