West Coast forward Josh Kennedy says he would love to see GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron win this year’s AFL Coleman Medal.
Kennedy, Cameron and Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead are in a three-way tie for the AFL goalkicking award with 60 goals each to their name, while Collingwood’s Travis Cloke (58) and Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt (56) are also within striking distance.
Cameron is the sentimental favourite to win given he’s only in his second year at the elite level and playing in a team that has won just one game for the year.
Kennedy is yet to win a Coleman medal in his seven completed seasons at the elite level, and isn’t fazed if he misses out again, saying he would happily trade in his goals in exchange for West Coast making the finals.
But the man renowned for his stutter-gun approach said it would make a good story if 20-year-old Cameron was able to top the goalkicking chart.
“I would love him to win it. He’s a superstar,” Kennedy said on Monday.
“He’s a player that’s getting the best backman every week. His year has been exceptional and he’s been great to watch.
“He’s in a developing team. The delivery or chances he’s getting can probably double in years to come once they start to build.
“So it’s actually pretty scary to think that.”
GWS players have vowed to do everything they can to boost Cameron’s chances of winning the Coleman medal.
But Kennedy won’t receive similar favours from his Eagles teammates.
“It goes away from our structures,” Kennedy said ahead of Friday night’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
“To be going and doing that could really stuff things up and I don’t think we’d get the win on the board.
“We want to finish the year off strong.”
Kennedy has booted just one goal over the past fortnight, and was held goalless in last week’s 66-point loss to Geelong.
The former Carlton forward described the loss to Geelong as embarrassing, and said West Coast are desperate to make amends against Collingwood this week.
Eagles ruckman Dean Cox is free to play against the Magpies after being offered a reprimand for his off-the-ball strike on Geelong skipper Joel Selwood.
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Roar Guru
Will be going to the GWS vs. Richmond match on Sunday, will be a special and momentus occasion as Kevin Sheedy will coach at home for (presumably) the final time ever. Jeremy Cameron is proving to be one of the power forwards of the AFL and I won't be surprised if he eventually takes home the Coleman Medal. After all, he'll deserve it, and then the question will come: Who needs Buddy when you have Jeremy Cameron? Kennedy is in for another tough match as the Eagles travel east to face Collingwood on the back of a terrible loss to the Cats, so he'll have to put in a good performance to pull away from the running pack. Roughy on the other hand has the Roos to handle. It could come down to the final round, you never know! We could even have a three-way tie for the Coleman....
Druitt Soldier
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I really hope to see Cameron win the medal. As a massive GWS fan it has been a pretty disappointing year. Before everyone jumps on me about how they are a new club full of kids I just want to say that I am very aware. And I am also very proud of the effort that they have been making. The improvments they have made this year have been amazing to say the least. But it still does hurt to see them lose week in and week out. So to see this victory would be a remarkable feeling. I really hope the boys get behind Cameron and he kicks his way to a Coleman finish