Jeremy Cameron is the biggest headache to opposition clubs in the AFL in 2024 — but there might be a proven way to quell his influence.
Once a full-time key forward, ‘Jezza’ — with the aid of some coaching mastery — has developed into arguably the most formidable hybrid threat the league has to contend with.
Two-time Kangaroos premiership star David King labelled Cameron “the most difficult” player to create a match-up for in the league, as the premiership Cat continues to exert his dominance during what might be a career-best campaign.
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The 31-year-old is averaging a career-high 18.1 disposals and 7.1 marks to go along with 2.7 goals per game.
Cameron found himself on King’s Watch List this weekend, as the purring Cat prepares to unload on the stingy Demons — who have ranked first in the competition in points against and in opposition scores per inside-50 rate over the past four years.
“It’s not necessarily him, the player, at 196 (centimetres). It’s the way he’s playing, and the challenge that he’s now posing to the opposition coaches’ box,” King told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday night.
“How do you handle him? And I’m not worried about the meaningless games, I’m worried about the games that are upcoming; Melbourne on the weekend — contender — Port Adelaide the week after, Giants in four weeks, Swans in six weeks.
“How are they going to handle what is the most difficult matchup in the competition; working right up the ground and then getting back (inside 50).”
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King said Cameron’s “maximum damage” is what’s killing opponents — he’s fifth-ranked in the league for player ratings points generated from pure ball use.
“Getting from midfield running back inside 50 is the threat that he really poses. Maximum damage is what we’re talking about,” King continued.
“In terms of ball-winning, he’s nowhere. He’s become an uncontested possession player. 75 per cent of his possessions are uncontested, which is amazing. He’s almost like a link player, but his damage on the end of that is huge — top five in the competition.
“He’s not winning one-on-ones, so I look at that and I say ‘OK, is the fact that he’s getting a larger match-up stopping him winning one-on-ones? Or is he not really in them?’ He’s only been in 14.
“And when he’s targeted inside 50 — even though he’s not targeted much — every time it’s a goal. Top three in the competition. The returns are huge.”
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King said Scott’s deployment of his star forward can’t merely be combated with “system”.
“You have to look at how Chris Scott’s using this guy and what match-up you need to go with,” he said.
“Systems (are) getting destroyed by this guy. So, if you want to keep rolling out system, system, system, he’ll kick five, he’ll kick four, he’ll set up another three or four, and the game will be over.
“There’s a lot of double-up stuff. A lot of first possession receive and then follow-up. His opponent’s trying to locate him on the way through, (but) you’ve got no hope when that’s the case.
“Of his 19 (goals), 10 are uncontested marks and seven are in play. That’s just the match-up that’s inadequate, whether it’s athletically, not capable, or just a complete size mismatch.”
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But, King maintains there’s a “template” for stemming Cameron’s influence — and we’ve seen it before.
“I think you have to go back to the middle of last year (Round 9) when he was on fire,” King said.
“Nathan Broad for Richmond just went everywhere with him, and played him like a traditional half-back-flanker; back shoulder, and just was difficult to play against.
“He didn’t go to the (furthest) degree every time, but that’s where he kills you — 50-70 (metres out from goal). (Broad) located him, he didn’t really get physical with him. He was prepared to engage in the running battle, and he’s a good player — he’s going to get some ball.
“But Broad just made sure that if he was going to be beaten, it was going to be in a contest and it was probably going to be between 50 and 70 (metres) from goal, and it was going to be a marking contest; nothing easy.”
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King floated a few potential match-ups for Cameron for Geelong’s upcoming opponents.
“Is (Connor) Idun the man for GWS?” he asked. “Is it Mills (for Sydney) when he comes back? Is it (Judd) McVee (for Melbourne) this week?
“Or, do you say ‘we don’t really have one (a match-up), we might have to hold one or two behind the ball’ and change the game from what they normally play.
“He sets you up. All the time, he’s setting you up for that angle, sort of slalom run back to goal, and that’s a match-up he’s enjoyed in the past two (games).
“Let’s put it on watch for the next month. Let’s keep an eye on what the best teams and the best coaches do.”
It starts with the Demons this Saturday night at the MCG.
Source Agencies
