CHANCE TO PLAY FINALS, NOT BIG PAY CHEQUES, CALLED JEZZA TO CATS
PREMIERSHIP forward Jeremy Cameron has detailed the feeling of “validation” he had for requesting a trade from Greater Western
Sydney, and the allure of Geelong as a landing spot.
The Cats are set to be busy again during this year’s AFL draft period, with Magpie Oliver Henry officially requesting a trade to Geelong and Giant Tanner Bruhn expected to follow suit.
Geelong is also in the box seat to acquire Gold Coast defender Jack Bowes and the lucrative seventh selection at this year’s draft as the Suns attempt to free up cap space.
Cameron, who left the Giants at the end of the 2020 season, said the allure of playing in Geelong was not in the form of big pay cheques.
“Playing finals and winning premierships was one of the main reasons why I wanted to move, but also to be closer to family,” he said.
“Looking at the different clubs, I thought Geelong would suit me as a region, and it has for sure, but at the same time I wanted to win a flag.
“I hadn’t won one before, I’ve tasted what grand final day and grand final week is like, but never been able to win it, so to get that validation surrounding why I left (the Giants) was really special.
“Geelong has done a remarkable job of staying competitive for years, since I’ve been watching footy they’ve always been around the mark, making finals.
“It’s pretty special to be able to keep doing that and not fully having to rebuild, I think it’s why players want to come to Geelong to play footy.”
Cameron was not the only player to be traded to Geelong and win his first premiership at the Cats, with star Pat Dangerfield, veteran Zach Tuohy, ruck Rhys Stanley and forwards Gary Rohan and Tyson Stengle all playing against the Swans.
Dangerfield said it was “special” to win with players coming to Geelong from different pathways, and it was an added incentive for those eager to win a premiership.
“There’s so many different stories intertwined throughout our 23 players that played, as well as the 45 that we have on our list,” he said.
“It’s what makes footy clubs great, being able to unite people for that success and to share that all together.”