AFL 2024: Geelong star Jeremy Cameron determined to sharpen up after Bulldogs defeat

Ed BourkeNewsWire
Camera IconCameron, who has played all but one game this season, says he is fully fit and in better shape than this time last season. Mark Stewart Credit: News Corp Australia

Jeremy Cameron says Saturday’s loss to the Western Bulldogs was “one of the worst games I’ve played” but knows where he went wrong in the lacklustre performance.

The Geelong sharpshooter was held to a season-low six disposals and 1.1 by close friend Rory Lobb as he failed to have an impact in wet conditions at GMHBA Stadium.

Cameron said he was fully fit but focusing on his reaction time and being “sharp” as pressure builds on the Cats following their hot start to the season.

Not usually one to dwell on a tough game, the 31-year-old said he had taken extra time to review his efforts against the Bulldogs.

“I don’t normally stew on my football too much to be honest, I get past it pretty quick,” he said.

Read more...

“But I thought about it over a couple of days, and there was a whole range of different things – probably my reaction time was a fair bit off, and to Lobby’s credit, to see him go down back, he’s one of my good mates, he comes out to the farm and whatnot.

“To his credit, he read the ball extremely well in what were pretty slippery conditions and marked the football a lot. He sort of led me to the football. I’ll be working hard on it this week to make sure that I’m sharp and ready to go.”

In welcome news for a Geelong forward line already without veteran Tom Hawkins, Cameron said he was not battling any niggling injuries and was in far better physical shape than this time last season.

“I’m actually feeling pretty good. I’ve had a pretty uninterrupted season, a strong pre-season and then I’ve taken that into the year, so I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.

Camera IconCameron, who has played all but one game this season, says he is fully fit and in better shape than this time last season. Mark Stewart Credit: News Corp Australia

“I’ve got no real niggles, which is always positive – it’s a bit of a marathon in a way and sometimes you can pick up niggles here and there … but to feel a lot better than this time last year is a real positive for myself.”

The star forward said the Cats would be wary of being off their best again in Hobart on Saturday, with a slip-up against North Melbourne potentially catastrophic to their finals hopes.

“It was a frustrating game for us, we didn’t play anywhere near our best football (against the Bulldogs),” he said.

“I’ll put my hand up first and say it was probably one of the worst games I’ve played, especially for the Cats.

Camera IconL-R: Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron, Richmond’s Tom Lynch, Essendon’s Bonnie Toogood and Marvel Stadium boss Scott Fitzgerald at the launched this year’s Stadium Golf on Wednesday. Tony Gough Credit: News Corp Australia

“There’s plenty of work to be done … every game is a must-win at this time of year, and we’ve got to step up, go down to Hobart and beat a Kangaroos outfit that are playing really good football.

“You’ve got to play your best footy, otherwise you’ll get found out on the night.”

Cameron spoke at the launch of Marvel Stadium’s revamped Stadium Golf event, which will run from September 9 to 26.

A golf clubhouse with warm-up nets and simulators will be added to the event while golfers get to tee off from the first, second and third levels of Marvel Stadium with holes on the ground.

Tickets will be available to the general public on Thursday from 9am.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong star Jeremy Cameron determined to sharpen up after Bulldogs defeat

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails