Cameron ousted for five weeks over elbow

GWS forward Jeremy Cameron was last night suspended for five weeks for the brutal elbow that knocked out young Brisbane Lion Harris Andrews and left him hospitalised with bleeding on the brain.

In a debilitating blow to the Giants’ finals hopes, the tribunal found Cameron’s actions had been deliberate.

Cameron pleaded not guilty to intentionally striking Andrews, arguing the act had been careless. But the tribunal dismissed that defence.

The AFL then pushed for a six-week ban while the Giants team said four games was appropriate.

In sickening scenes at the Gabba on Saturday, Andrews was knocked out and spent a night in hospital where doctors found an 8mm brain haemorrhage.

Andrews had run back with the flight of the ball and had punched it away when Cameron, also in mid-air, collected him as he charged out from goal.

“I feel really sorry for what’s happened,” the Giants forward said in his evidence at AFL headquarters last night.

“It was never in my intention to hurt Harris the way I did. I was doing what I do on a number of occasions throughout the game. I’m deeply sorry with how it all played out.”

The tribunal was provided with text messages exchanged between the pair on Sunday.

“I feel sick at the thought of how everything panned out,” Cameron wrote in one. “It’s all a bit of a blur. I’m really sorry it happened and you couldn’t play out the game. I hope there is no serious damage. You’re going to be a champion mate.”

Andrews responded positively and that he was “feeling a bit better”.

The 21-year-old – who also suffered significant chest wall pain – will be reassessed by a neurosurgeon in two weeks before any call on a return to football is made.