CAMERON CHOOSES CATS
As Geelong seeks to win the flag against Richmond on Saturday, it may already have an eye on the premiership in 2021 with news Giants spearhead Jeremy Cameron will partner Tom Hawkins in a potent foward line at the Cattery next season.
GEELONG has won the race to sign GWS Giants’ superstar Jeremy Cameron in a massive boost to the club’s premiership hopes for next season.
Cameron, 27, told Giants’ coach Leon Cameron on Monday he wanted to continue his career at the Cats where he will partner gun spearhead Tom Hawkins in attack in 2021.
But GWS have already indicated it is prepared to match the Cats’ free agency bid in an attempt to secure two firstround picks from Geelong in a trade for Cameron.
If the Giants don’t match they have to accept pick No. 10 as free agency compensation, which is widely seen as an underwhelming return for a top key forward.
Giants’ chief executive Dave Matthews said the club wanted a decent return.
“The ball is in Geelong’s court to see whether they can satisfy us with a trade,” Matthews said last night.
“( Adam) Treloar and ( Dylan) Shiel were worth two first- round draft picks, and they are both very good players. Key forwards are hard to find.”
Cameron’s call is a huge coup for Geelong and another massive endorsement of the club’s culture and list management as the Cats attempt to pull off their fourth premiership in 14 years against Richmond on Saturday.
But the recruiting raid is not yet complete as the Cats are expected to land North Melbourne star midfield- forward Shaun Higgins and are also circling Adelaide onballer Brad Crouch.
Geelong has been chasing Cameron, who is from Dartmoor in Victoria, for the past two seasons.
While Cameron has made clear he has enjoyed his nine years and 171 games in Sydney, the laid- back lifestyle in Geelong and proximity to his and his partner’s family was known to be a factor in his decision.
GWS Giants list manager Jason McCartney said the club would work to get the best deal for the club in exchange for its leading goal kicker.
“We are disappointed to be told he wants to hear the news that Jeremy Cameron wants to continue his career at the Cats, but he is a restricted free agent and the club will consider all options available to it,” McCartney said.
The Giants tried hard to keep Cameron, saying the club offered him a “suitable deal” believed to be worth about
$ 750,000 a season over five years.
The Giants will now consider whether to accept pick No. 10 as free agency compensation or force Geelong to give up more in a trade for the twotime All- Australian and best and fairest winner.
The Cats have three- first round draft picks and could also nab pick No. 7 from Fremantle for the potential loss of gun young defender Jordan Clark.