Collingwood Magpies’ Darcy Cameron says he’s ready to build on breakout AFL season while back home in Albany

A breakout year at AFL level has fuelled the fire for Darcy Cameron to become a more consistent performer for Collingwood in 2022. Cameron has identified bridging the gap between his best and worst performances as a way to take his game to another level, as he prepares for the start of the Magpies’ preseason next month. The towering ruck-forward is enjoying time with friends and family back home in Albany but is doing plenty of training to ensure he arrives for pre-season in great shape. MORE AFL: The North Albany product played 18 games out of a possible 22 and held his spot after coming into the team in favour of fellow tall Mason Cox. “Personally it was one of the better seasons I have had given that we didn’t go unfortunately too good as a whole but I was able to see some positives out of my season,” he said. “I came in after round four and it’s the first time I have been able to cement my spot and stay in the team and actually not get dropped which is a good feeling. “I was happy with some games but it’s still about finding that consistency from week to week, you still have a couple of games where you will play well then you have one where you might have a stinker. “I’m going to try work within myself to nullify the gap between my best and worst which I have but I still think there’s a lot of improvement to grow in that aspect in my game.” Cameron kicked 22 goals and averaged 12.2 disposals a game along with 5.5 marks, 1.8 tackles and 6.7 hit-outs playing mainly as a forward and second ruckman for the Pies in 2021. The 26-year-old is looking forward to playing under new coach Craig McRae. “I have met him, he was trying to get around to everysingle player and catch up with them individually,” Cameron said. “He gave me a call while I was in my lockdown in Albany and had a really good chat with him and he seems like a real players’ coach. “I haven’t heard a bad word about him at the moment along with the assistant coaches Leppa (Justin Leppitsch) and (Brendon) Bolton so it’s really exciting and I think there is going to be a huge buzz around the club this preseason. “I’m not sure if he will have any new ideas, I think he will like that set-up where I pinch-hit for Brodie (Grundy) and then play forward and kick goals when I can and I’m just going to look to better myself in that position.” Cameron enjoyed the best game of his career on one of the biggest stages, the Anzac Day match against Essendon. The 205cm big man finished with 22 disposals, three clearances, 400m gained, and kicked three goals in front 78,000 fans. “Playing in the Anzac Day game and the Queen’s Birthday game, those big games was pretty unbelievable,” he said. “Especially that Anzac Day game playing in front of 80,000 people before that outbreak hit Melbourne was something special and I will never forget.” Cameron returned to Albany last month with his partner Adriana and will head back to Melbourne in three weeks to start training early with the younger players. “I’m just trying to catch up with family and friends as much as possible because I don’t think I’m going to be able to get back over the Christmas period because of the restrictions with the WA borders,” Cameron said.