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FROM the outside looking in, it appeared to be an AFL career low point for Charlie Cameron.

But the livewire Brisbane forward has credited a six-month injury layoff in 2018 with helping him find “career best” form this year, sparking the Lions’ unlikely title assault.

Cameron’s first season with Brisbane initially lived up to the hype following his high-profile move from Adelaide, kicking 17 goals in the first 10 games of 2018. However, Cameron cut a disconsolate figure when he suffered a season-ending foot injury the next round against North Melbourne.

Cameron could only look on helplessly as Brisbane finished 15th on the 2018 AFL ladder with a poor 5-17 record. It was a far cry from the heights of his time with the Crows where barely 12 months earlier he had kicked a then career-best five goals in Adelaide’s 61-point preliminary final win over Geelong to book a grand final showdown with Richmond. Yet Cameron credited his time on the Lions’ sidelines with propelling him to his 2019 heights.

Small forward Cameron has been the key to Brisbane’s remarkable resurgence, sealing a rare top-two finish for the Lions who have earned their first finals campaign in 10 years.

Brisbane will host Richmond in a qualifying final at the Gabba tomorrow night after Cameron’s 2019 heroics which included 54 majors for the year and AllAustralian selection.

“Last season started pretty well but I got injured halfway through and it was a bit frustrating,” Cameron said.

“But having six months off with the injury really helped me develop as a player, watching the game off field was different to being on the ground. It helped me this year come back and influence games. I feel I’ve done that well.

“This is the best I have ever played. At Adelaide I never really had that opportunity.”