Giants’ draft secrets at risk in Suns defection

GWS Giants have demanded departed list boss Craig Cameron exclude himself from new employer Gold Coast’s draft strategy after a top-end defection to the Suns.

The embattled Gold Coast was last night under fire for its daring pre-draft raid on the Giants’ list boss of just 18 months.

Cameron — who had been contracted until the end of 2019 — told the Giants on Sunday that he had accepted an offer to defect to the Suns just 12 days before Friday week’s national draft.

The Giants have insisted Cameron plays no role when the 18 AFL clubs convene in Sydney for the draft as tensions between the expansion clubs boiled over.

Rival clubs said the poaching of Cameron was at odds with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan’s call to curb rising football department spending.

Recruiters said the timing of Cameron’s departure was “very strange”.

One said: “Fancy being in the role and you are 10 days out from one of the biggest days, and you’re not going. Bizarre.”

Bemused GWS officials have also expressed concern with AFL chiefs about Cameron’s sudden departure.

The move will trigger several football department changes with current Suns list boss Scott Clayton seemingly headed for the exit. Clayton will fulfil his draft duties for the Suns.

The veteran recruiter is in talks with the Suns about 2018 and has also been linked to St Kilda.