The GWS Giants have been dealt a massive blow with star key forward Jeremy Cameron telling the club he’ll be exploring his free-agent options this off-season.
Cameron is a restricted free agent, so the Giants can match any offer made to their superstar, but it is believed he wants to move to the Geelong Cats.
“We are disappointed by this news, having tabled what we believe to have been a suitable offer to retain Jeremy,” Giants general manager of football Jason McCartney said.
“With Jeremy being a restricted free agent, we have a number of avenues to now explore to get the best possible outcome for the Giants.”
Cameron had originally indicated he would sign with the Giants once the contract freeze earlier this year ended. However, when he failed to put pen to paper, speculation mounted that he would leave the expansion club for a move home to Victoria.
It’s been reported that salary was the main sticking point for Cameron, after GWS were believed to have tabled offers around the $750,000 mark.
The Cats have already indicated they’re keen on signing the star forward in a move that would see them field a pair of Coleman medallists on the same team, with Cameron linking up with Tom Hawkins.
“We’re in the market big time at the moment for Jeremy Cameron,” Geelong Ceo Brian Cook said last week.
“He’s struggling with making a decision. He’s a loyal bloke and, you know the rules when you’ve been around for a long time, do you finish your career in one place? Or do you get tempted to go elsewhere? I think that’s a good character trait that’s being shown and demonstrated by him.
“We’re trying big time for that one.”
Collingwood and Essendon are two other Victorian clubs believed to be eyeing off the key forward, however Geelong are in the box seat.
Cameron has been the Giants’ leading or equal-leading goalkicker for the Giants in all nine seasons of their AFL existence, having joined the club in their formative years. In 171 games, he kicked 427 goals for GWS.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah same with us looks, like Fantasia will end up at Port,not super keen about it,better not give up to much for him.Hearing port offered Alir Alir a contract,dont know or seen much of him to form a judgement,just trust them i suppose,hope its not a burn the membership in the microwave type of outcome
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
I was referring to what Welles has had to do in the past with low draft picks. Nothing to do with Cameron. GWS will match Geelong and force a trade which means they will want possibly two high draft picks and players in return. You appear to misunderstand restricted free agency and how it works. As for picking up an untested youngster, what do you think Cameron was once? Please read the post before making so many erroneous comments.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
No I haven't, have you ever visited west Cape bay?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Great memory Dave
Johnno
Roar Rookie
De Goey?
Johnno
Roar Rookie
I thought I read he had a year to run after 2020. If it ends in 2020 it then makes sense. Thanks.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Yep, if I remember correctly Voss played a brilliant final couple of minutes. Also got a goal assist or involvement straight after the bump.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Scott Burns missed taking the great Michael Voss out first half by a few inches. That might’ve done it.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Nothing against SA, Brendon, but you’ve obviously never visited Port Stephens.
Dave
Roar Rookie
I still think you should have won 2002, if only Rocca's point was called a goal!
Timbo's rules
Guest
If there was one player you don't let go, it's Cameron. The chance of a flag goes for GWS if he leaves. They would be mugs if they don't match, and even up, the offer from Geelong.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Trouble is you make up a name, shove them by an oval, make up a theme song and expect character and soul. The place seems soulless and devoid of substance. Leon Cameron is surely the most boring personality the game has seen too. He makes Longmire look like Jim Carrey.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
You mean like the youthful Brisbane team they just put to the sword on the wkend right? -with young Henry, Parfit and Miers all playing out of their skin. Geelong will be fine, we've been hearing this same old rubbish for over a decade now. Never gets old, much like the cats.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hell Neil …I’d take one flag every 12 years for the Pies at our rate…32 years, 20 years, 12 years…1958, 1990, 2010, 2022…2 in 3 years would be a dream, 3 in 4 years would just about set me up for life though you just want more don’t you? I know after 2010 I thought 2011 would just be a breeze but it still hurt like hell we didn’t go back to back, mind you we were belting every side except the Cats that year.
Cat
Roar Guru
No. The salary floor requires all clubs to spend at least 95% of the salary cap. Do you think clubs languishing at the bottom of the ladder sure worth 95% of what the top sides are? Imagine a bottom side with no stars left (after this year)such as NM has to pay 95% still. They should be down around 50% of the cap with the lack of talent on the list. The they could massively overpay to lure stars there. That’s how it works in the states. The simple fact is the salary floor in AFL is the greatest deterrent to equalisation.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
GWS need to trade-out a few other w#nkers as well: Leon Clueless-Chief Cameron, Toby Gr#b Greene, Hero-Head Harry Himmelberg and Low-Blow Lachie Whitfield. Once they remove these prima donnas, stop thinking coward actions or gobbing-off is constructive, learn to run both ways and dig-deep, then they can begin to rebuild the character of the joint and maybe salvage something. :happy:
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The key to good trading is to not try and 'win' the trade. This is the problem Essendon has every year. The Cats will find a way to make it work for both parties, just like they did with Adelaide and West Coast.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
:laughing: It is a bit cruel but Leon has taken them backwards this year and players don't seem committed. Just wonder if their chance at a premiership has passed and they need someone else at the helm.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
By that you mean how low clubs can go for their players to gear up to get stars? That’s interesting.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
MJ, throw LC in as "steak knives"?