Clubs eye mature Cameron in AFL draft

Claremont product and ex-North Albany big man Darcy Cameron says he is in the best position he has ever been in to get picked up by an AFL club but refused to get drawn into speculation he would find a home in today’s national draft.

Cameron, who has spent the past five seasons with Claremont in the WAFL, enters the national draft as a genuine mature-age option after a stellar year at league level.

The 204cm Cameron played 19 league games for Claremont this season, averaging 11 disposals, 12 hit-outs and five marks a game while kicking 36 goals when he spent large periods as a key forward.

He also played for WA in the State-game thrashing of Tasmania, kicking three goals from 13 possessions and eight marks.

After testing well at the recent State combine, Cameron is again on the radar of several AFL clubs.

But after three years of disappointment, the 21-year-old is not getting ahead of himself.

“It is exciting (draft time) but the last week has been nerve-racking,” he said.

“I’ve almost felt sick in my stomach thinking about it.

“Every year the draft has let me down but after this year there is more expectation for me to go, and it just puts more pressure on me.”

TheAlbany Advertiser understands there has been strong interest from the Sydney Swans and Geelong, while the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers have interviewed Cameron.

“I’ve done everything I can, especially with the State combine,” he said

“I worked my a... off for six to eight weeks and now it’s just a waiting game.

“There has always been interest but I don’t want to get my hopes up.

“If it does happen it would be great.

“It would be awesome to play footy in WA but I really don’t care where I go.” Cameron said he felt ready to play AFL immediately if a club selected him.

“I would love to be able to go to a club and play straight away after a big pre-season,” he said. “Getting drafted is a small part of it, playing games and playing games consistently is a bigger part of it.”

Cameron will watch the draft with family members and friends in Perth.