Lion hospitalised by hit
Cameron facing lengthy suspension
BRISBANE defender Harris Andrews is still recovering from his sickening clash with GWS key forward Jeremy Cameron on Saturday.
Andrews, who was admitted to hospital after the game, was expected to head home last night and will be under close observation for the next day or two.
Given the importance of the medical reports in tribunal cases, Andrews’ poor health in the aftermath of the ugly incident is further bad news for Cameron.
AFL match reviewer Michael Christian is likely to refer Cameron directly to the tribunal and the Giants star can expect at least a four-week suspension.
Andrews was stretchered off after the first-quarter incident, but he and Cameron shook hands immediately after the match and spoke.
The Lions released a statement yesterday, saying Andrews became sick on Saturday night and went to hospital.
“Harris is in good spirits, but we will be watching him closely for the next 24-48 hours,” Lions football boss David Noble said.
“He will have a number of scans over the next few days.”
Cameron’s teammate Dylan Shiel also spoke yesterday and acknowledged that the key forward appears certain to be suspended.
Cameron’s absence will be a major blow ahead of Saturday night’s home game against Hawthorn.
“I’m not disappointed (in Cameron) — we don’t want to see that in our game, but it’s a pretty hard game in real time,” Shiel told Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show.
“There are split-second decisions that need to be made and we know how Jeremy likes to play his footy – he’s pretty hard at it.
“Just at that moment he (Cameron) went to protect himself in a marking contest (and) unfortunately he made contact with Andrews.
“I’m not saying Jeremy deserves to get off, but he certainly didn’t intend to hurt Andrews.”
Two years ago, Cameron pleaded guilty at the tribunal and received a four-week ban for a heavy bump on Brisbane defender Rhys Mathieson.
Meanwhile, Shaun Burgoyne and Hawthorn have an anxious wait over the star’s latest hamstring injury.
Today’s scan results will not only be important ahead of their massive clash with GWS, but also for Burgoyne’s football future.
The four-time premiership player is 35 and Saturday’s win over Gold Coast in Launceston was his 351st game.