Time, speed will tell tale for Cameron
CHARLIE Cameron says he hopes with greater midfield minutes this year he can use his blistering pace to be a more damaging player for the Lions.
Coach Chris Fagan has already predicted speed will become a major asset around the ball under the AFL’S new rules and has foreshadowed using a greater rotation of players through the midfield to add an explosive mix to the proven ball winning of clearance kings Lachie Neal and Jarryd Lyons.
Captain Dayne Zorko provides the spark in the Lions engine room but Cameron and former number one draft pick Cameron Rayner will start there for more centre bounces this season, even if they remain burst players.
Ex-cat Lincoln Mccarthy is also likely to swing through there and the wing.
“That will bring some speed in there and hopefully some other midfields can’t go with us,’’ Cameron said. “Some of the bigger sides, like Melbourne who we played on the weekend, have bigger bodies like Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw and maybe we can look a bit different.
“In round one against West Coast it is going to be a tough game but if we can get that speed inside we can be damaging. We only get two or three minutes in there but we try to make the most of it.’’
Lyons went forward and kicked four goals against Mel- bourne and Berry has also shown an ability to find space inside fifty.
Zorko’s goal kicking has long been a strength and the ability to keep their best players on the park by resting them in the forward fifty will create more chances for the trio.
The key is to retain the defensive pressure that Cameron and Mccarthy are renowned for. Cameron has been jumping out of his skin over the JLT games after missing the second half of last year with a foot injury.
He looked dangerous at ground level and kicked 1.1 against Melbourne but there was evidence he is still carrying a bit of rust as he mistimed some spectacular leaps that, when he regains his touch and starts to grab them, are likely to earn him a mark of the year contender or two throughout the season.
“It was a bit frustrating on the weekend, it was there but I just couldn’t finish,’’ he said.