Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron relishing ruck role as they prepare for a semifinal showdown with Fremantle

Albany pair Darcy Cameron and Jordan Clark will be on either side of the much anticipated AFL semifinal, as their respective teams Collingwood and Fremantle fight for a preliminary final berth in front of a packed MCG on Saturday night. Cameron and Clark have enjoyed terrific individual seasons and loom as key players in their side’s bid to extend their season for at least another week. This year has been a breakout one for ex-North Albany ruckman Cameron, as he has shouldered the majority of the ruck load for the Pies in the absence of Brodie Grundy. Railways junior Clark has relished his return home to WA and has starred across half back for the Dockers after getting more senior opportunity than at his previous club Geelong. Cameron had 25 hit-outs to go with 14 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances for the Magpies who went down in a thrilling qualifying final against the Cats at the MCG on Saturday. He said it was a wonderful experience playing in such big final in front of more than 91,000 people. “I can’t think of many other games that were quite that intense and we’ve played in a few close ones this year,” Cameron said. “It was a pretty good experience despite the loss. I think we take a lot of confidence out of it, against the minor premiers in front of 90-odd thousand people and to lose by six points and put our game plan on display.” Cameron said he had relished playing as the Magpies No.1 ruckman. In 22 games this season the 27-year-old has averaged 17.9 hit-outs and 13 disposals. “I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. “Since Brodie went down earlier in the year I got given that opportunity and I was really excited about it. “I played a lot of ruck early on in my career playing NEAFL down at Swans and back down at Claremont and my North Albany days. “I think it’s exciting I can perform at the level in that position.” Clark was one of the Dockers’ best players as they mounted an incredible comeback to down the Western Bulldogs by 13 points in the elimination final at Optus Stadium on Saturday night. The Dockers trailed by 41 points early in the second term but went on to record a famous win as Clark finished with 17 touches, five marks and seven intercepts. The Magpies and Dockers will square off at 5.25pm on Saturday with the winner to face Sydney in the preliminary final.