Toughest of leaps to Catsfor Cameron

Jeremy’ s agony over Giant decision

AN emotional Jeremy Cameron has revealed the moment he told Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron he was leaving was “one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do ”, admitting he had sleep less nights for months wrestling withhisdecision.

Cameron, pictured, spoke for the first time as a Geelong footballer on Friday morning, saying he was relieved the most difficult season of his footy life had closed.

In a three-way deal orchestrated moments before the trade deadline, the Cats handed over their first three picks — 13, 15 and 20 — as well as a future fourth round selection for the 27- year-old star forward. Gee long received two future second round picks that it believe sit can better utilise in a draft with more exposed form nextyear.

But while Cameron can’t wait to get started with the Cats, he says he will forever be grateful to his former coach and Giants for the impact they had on his life. “It was very emotional,” a refreshingly honest Cameron said of the discussion with Cameron. “I remember calling Leon and saying ‘do you mind coming around to sit on the couch, we need to have a chat ’. It was one of the hardest things I ever had todo.”

“I remember in my third season, Leon took me in and said ‘I can see the potential in you, you’re going to be a good B-plus or A-grade player but do you want to be an A-plus player, I can turn you into that.’ It’s a conversation I’ve never forgotten. To have him sit in my lounge room and hear that I’m leaving was obviously very tough and it’s still obviously a bit emotional now .”

Cameron’s voice quivered when discussing what the Giants meant to him and how he called 15 to 20 team mates after his October discussion with his coach. He stressed the decision to return to Victoria after leaving home as a 17-year-old for the newly created Giants had been exceptionally tough.

“I haven’ t had much sleep in the last two months to be honest. It definitely has been a tense period for myself and (partner) Indiana ,” he said.

“I’ve been so stressed out lately and I don’t really like it because I am a relaxed bloke, it’ s beenquitefull-on.

“(I’m) very happy but at the same time there’s a bit of sadness as well. I have nothing bad to say about the Giants and it’s been an incredible 10 years withthem.”

He finished the 2020 season still thinking he would be a Giants player in 2021, but a final decision came following a camping trip with his partner Indiana.

“I ended up saying to Indi ‘let’s go away for a weekend’ … on the drive back I knew I was going to make the move,” Cameronsaid.