Charlie Cameron’s journey from Crows prospect to All-Australian for Brisbane

A part of the Adelaide side which just fell short, Charlie Cameron has the chance to win his first AFL flag with Brisbane on Saturday. Here’s how Charlie’s time with the Crows helped him become a star.

Charlie Cameron arrived at the Adelaide Crows in 2013 as a quiet and humble 19-year-old out of the Swan Districts Football Club with bunches of raw talent.

Now, 10 years later, Cameron has become the AFL’s most electric small forward and will have the opportunity to win his first premiership on Saturday when his Brisbane Lions clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

Born in Mount Isa, Queensland, Cameron was late to Aussie Rules but was picked up by the Crows in the 2013 rookie draft after displaying his potential in the WAFL.

Cameron would eventually come into his own as a key cog in the Crows’ 2017 losing grand final side, but it was also his early years at the Crows which put the footy community on notice.

“It becomes apparent as you play against the young draftees which ones have it,” Former North Adelaide premiership player Alex Barns, who played against Cameron in the SANFL during 2014, said.

Cameron during his time with Swan Districts in the WAFL. Picture: Theo Fakos

“People like Jake Lever, Izak Rankine, Connor Rozee really stand out as a class above the rest and Charlie was certainly one of those.

“His speed and electricity certainly stood out – after one game it was clear he had a chance to be pretty special.”

Cameron showed off his blistering pace and top drawer skills for Adelaide’s SANFL side and coach Heath Younie, his best early performance being a five-goal display against Glenelg in 2014.

He soon experienced more AFL call ups under Phil Walsh and Scott Camporeale until he was a regular in the first team for the 2016 and 2017 seasons under Don Pyke.

Eddie Betts, Mitch Grigg and Charlie Cameron joke around at Crows training. Picture: Sarah Reed

Dual Magarey Medallist and former Crow Mitch Grigg, who was one of Cameron’s close friends at the club, said it was obvious the young gun would soon develop into a superstar of the competition.

“He was a pretty shy and humble guy when he first got to the club but he always worked hard and let his game do the talking,” Grigg said.

“We always knew he’d go on to do big things. His lightning speed and his skills really stood out even though he had a small frame, which a couple years in the gym fixed up.

“Once he started performing and his confidence lifted out came this funny character and he was really the life of the room at the club.”

Grigg also said having Crows icon Eddie Betts as a mentor helped Charlie to develop on and off the field.

Cameron leaves Richmond’s Trent Cotchin in the dust during the 2017 grand final. Picture: Robert Cianflone/AFL Media/Getty Images

“Having Eddie as a mentor there helped him immensely,” he said.

“He progressively got better and more confident and started to develop in areas which really helped the team like his forward pressure and tackling – stuff that he now brings every week for the Lions.”

Cameron was an integral part of the 2017 Crows team which finished minor premier and fell just short of premiership success, eventually going down to Dustin Martin and Richmond in the grand final.

The 29-year-old has since blossomed in to an All-Australian and one of the competition’s best forwards after moving to Brisbane to be closer to family in 2018.

Now one of the AFL’s must-see players, Cameron will attempt to win his first premiership when the Lions clash with Collingwood on Saturday. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A high-pressure machine up front who takes big grabs and boots goals for fun, Cameron will be one to watch this weekend.

“When he tucks it under his arm and just bursts past everyone, he’s one of the most exciting players to watch,” Grigg said.

“The way he takes the game on and damages opposition, he’s just the epitome of a small forward at the moment the way he’s playing.

“He’ll go down as one of the best to ever play that position.”