While he continued to improve, it seemed others around him were developing faster. It only spurred him on.
With the faith of his coach and team-mates, Greenwood has made huge inroads.
"I never really felt like it was going to be over (his career). I was just waiting for an opportunity to come up, [and was determined to] not waste it," he told The Age’s Jesse Hogan.
The gutsy midfielder got that opportunity when Andrew Swallow went out of the side late last year with an achilles injury; he hasn’t looked back.
Such has been his progress, Greenwood is considered among the favourites for North’s best and fairest award.
During the week, Brad Scott paid him perhaps the ultimate compliment, stating "as a football athlete, they don’t come much better than Levi". Those words would be music to the ears of the number 24.
"I like to catch people off guard. They probably look at me and think 'He's not going to be able to run', and then all of a sudden I can run," Greenwood explained.
"I base my game around running; I get a lot of my ball out on the wing, and by hard work and running and spreading."
While he’s slipped under the radar to some extent this year, there’s no doubt Greenwood will be copping greater attention soon.
With 25 disposals a game, he has arguably been the Kangaroos’ most consistent midfielder.
"This is definitely the best period I've had at the Roos, by far the best form I've been in for my whole time here. And the most exciting time since I've been at the club as well.”
