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There is nothing more refreshing in the AFL then a young guy stamping his authority on a big stage. Moments when good players become great players; it sends a chill down our spine and leaves us breathless as spectators.
On the weekend two young players both stamped their mark on their respective games and should be a chance to be selected in the All-Australian team.
I’m talking about Jeremy Cameron and Chad Wingard, when the discussion has been generally that second-year players form will drop or not be as eye-catching as their debut season.
These two players have smashed that argument, and the stats really back them up in the discussion of whether they are worthy of All-Australian selection.
We will start with Jeremy Cameron; it’s always dangerous to make comparisons so early in a player’s career. But Cameron’s coach Kevin Sheedy has already compared the Giants forward to that of Richmond champion Royce Hart.
I’ve never agreed with comparing players, especially Cameron.
The kid is in just his second year of AFL and is already being compared to a four-time Richmond premiership player, Tasmanian and Richmond Team of the Century player, AFL Hall of Famer and Richmond Immortal.
For most it would be a burden to carry but it doesn’t appear to bother Cameron, who speaks with such modesty and gratitude for the opportunities he has been given so early in his career.
Stats-wise Cameron this year has been as good as any forward in the competition, and he is tied equal second for the Coleman medal with 54 goals for the season.
This in itself is an amazing accomplishment, playing as a young forward in a side that is usually expected to get smashed each week.
Out of the 174 goals that GWS has kicked Cameron has scored on average 30 percent of GWS’ total goals, most of the time he is able to manufacture them out of nothing as well.
An example of this was on the weekend when Cameron was 70 metres out from goal when he intercepted an errant Melbourne kick, he showed enough composure to assess the situation he was in, dummy his opponent and seal the game with a goal from 55 out.
Cameron is ranked 75th in the AFL for average marks a game (5.4) this shows his versatility in being able to produce the goods even though he isn’t receiving the service that other teams might get.
This will certainly change as GWS improve and they have already shown great improvement in their last month of football.
The last point on Cameron is that he kicks his goals against quality opposition, this year his goals have come in the form of seven against Collingwood, six and four-goal hauls against Essendon, bags of four goals against both Geelong and Hawthorn and three against Sydney.
So he really stands up when GWS play quality sides.
Wingard on the other hand has been an absolute favourite for the Port faithful this year; he has already improved his output greatly from last year where he averaged a modest 12.5 disposals a game, this year he already averages 22 disposals a game.
Many of you will say, ‘How does that warrant All-Australian selection?’
I’m a big believer in usage of the footy, it doesn’t matter how many times you can accumulate it in the back half when no one is tagging you, it’s whether or not what you do can impact a game.
Wingard showed no better example of how to impact a game then on Sunday afternoon in the showdown.
Port needed a goal with a minute on the clock and with all the momentum; Monfries sent a banana to 35 out directly in front. Cassisi was in a contested situation with Petrenko in a situation that looked certain to be punched away.
Wingard running at full tilt was able to drift across and take the mark, to go back and have a set shot at goal to win the game.
A lesser man would’ve cracked under the pressure, but showing all the poise of Tony Lockett in his prime, Wingard was able to slot the goal and win the game for the Power.
These are moments that make players, a big stage where gun players stamp their authority on a match.
Wingard is a true goal-kicking midfielder, it may be laughable but Wingard has kicked one more goal then Port Adelaide’s full forward Jay Schulz and is just three behind Eagles spearhead Jack Darling.
His total for the season is 35 and ranks him 13th in the race for the Coleman, impressive form for someone in their second year of AFL.
Wingard much like Cameron also delivers the goods against the stronger teams. When the Power beat Sydney earlier this year Wingard popped up at critical moments and kicked goals.
He put Port Adelaide back in front at the sixth minute of the last quarter when he kicked his second for the game; he bobbed up again in the 16th-minute mark and kicked his third to give the Power some breathing space when the game was in the balance.
While he may not be an accumulator like a Gary Ablett or a Dane Swan, he has shown that he is a proven match winner when he is at his best. Given he won’t be selected in the midfield as there is too much class already there.
Wingard deserves a bench spot, as he has been a solid contributor in the Power’s promising resurgence.
My prediction for their selection:
Jeremy Cameron: Half Forward Flank/Forward Pocket
Chad Wingard: Interchange
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