QCLASH RIVALS ARE KEEN TO CROW AGAIN
Ahead of Gold Coast’s clash with Brisbane, CHRIS HONNERY spoke to a pair of former teammates turned foes who know the power of a state showdown
FORMER Adelaide teammates Charlie Cameron and Hugh Greenwood have played in their fair share of showdowns and both admit this weekend’s QClash will be a hotly contested clash.
Both Cameron and Greenwood were members of the Crows’ 2017 grand final side before going their separate ways to eventually join Brisbane and the Gold Coast respectively.
In their time with Adelaide they were part of the South Australian “Showdown” between the Crows and Port – one of the most fierce rivalries in the AFL
Now the in-form pair meet again, this time on Gold Coast turf, for the 20th instalment of Queensland’s AFL showdown.
And the contest could not have come at a better time for two of the competition’s red-hot players.
Cameron has rocketed into form in the last month, kicking 11 goals in four games, while Greenwood tops the competition for most tackles and sits fourth overall for contested possessions to set up an enticing battle in the midfield.
“We’re pretty excited,” Greenwood said ahead of Saturday’s game at Metricon Stadium.
“We only had the one game last year. Brisbane have been around the mark for the past couple of years and have now played into form leading into this weekend’s QClash.
“It’s always pretty heated and physical but we’re keen to get Brisbane at their best.”
After a relatively slow start to the season, Cameron has revealed the small change to his game which has sparked him back into form.
The 2019 All-Australian played further up field at the start of the season but only managed to kick four goals and looked to have little impact closer to goal.
But when the Lions fell to 1-3,
Cameron shifted to a permanent forward and the move has paid dividends with Brisbane winning the past four in a row.
“At the start I was playing a bit more midfield and I was getting a bit tired when I came forward,” Cameron said.
“I was exhausted and just didn’t have any pressure or didn’t have the pace when I was forward because I used a lot of my energy in the midfield.
“Now that I’m playing 100 per cent forward, it’s really helped me.
“I’ve changed my game style a little and adapted to the bigger boys around me and just going out there to have fun.”
Despite their recent winning form, Brisbane admit they are very wary of their Gold
Coast opponents, who are searching for their first QClash victory since Round 5, 2018.
The Suns were rocked by injury at the start of the year but have managed to stay in the fight to sit 3-5 ahead of this weekend.
A key reason for their success has been Greenwood’s midfield presence and the 29-year-old is dominating the AFL tackle count with 70 – with the next best being teammate Touk Miller on 54.
It will be just his second QClash showdown this weekend – and first on home soil – and admitted he was looking forward to going toe-to-toe with his old Adelaide teammate Cameron.
“Charlie and I worked pretty closely back in Adelaide,” Greenwood (pictured inset) said.
“My first two years I started off as a forward so I had a fair bit to do with Charlie and we naturally gravitated towards one another.
“We’ve been on our own unique paths and he’s come a long way.
“He never said a word at the footy club (Adelaide) and now he doesn’t shut up.
“Thankfully I’m not playing on him. He’s got that swagger about him, that aura and he talks the talk but he can walk the walk as well so he backs it up for sure.
“He’s fun to watch and he’s better to play with than against.” Another former Crows player – wingman Rory Atkins – is also set to run on for his first game with the Gold Coast this weekend after overcoming a shoulder surgery and a foot injury since joining the Suns.
Cameron was looking forward to coming up against his former teammates and the chance for bragging rights.
“He’s really stood up to the challenges since arriving on the Gold Coast,” Cameron said of former basketball talent Greenwood.
“It was always going to be tough for him but he’s doing well with his pressure with tackling and his contested ball.
“He’s adding in other stuff to his game and becoming a real presence there.
“For us coming into this week, we have to respect what they’ve got in their midfield because Hugh is having a good year.
“Hopefully Rory Atkins gets a go as well because it’s always enjoyable. There’s always a lot of chat during the week.”
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He’s got that swagger about him, that aura and he talks the talk but he can walk the walk as well so he backs it up for sure.
Hugh Greenwood on Charlie Cameron