AFL: Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron hails the influence of Eddie Betts on his career

Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron has promised to maintain the fight against racism in the AFL.

Charlie Cameron celebrates a goal during Brisbane’s easy win over Collingwood. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron has hailed the influence retiring great Eddie Betts has had on his career and promised to continue his mentor’s fight against racism in the AFL.

Cameron is in superb form heading into Brisbane’s battle with West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday.

The Lions forward kicked six goals in Brisbane’s demolition of Collingwood last weekend and seems certain to play a big role in his team’s premiership bid.

In his retirement speech this week, Betts said what Cameron was “doing now at Brisbane is crazy”.

It was music to the ears of Cameron, who Betts took under his wing when the pair were Adelaide Crows teammates.

“Learning off him every day when I was living with him, he brought me in was I was first drafted ... what he does off the field and on the field, it’s truly amazing,” Cameron said of Betts.

“With all the stuff going on with racism, him fighting to stop racism is huge, and there’s no better person than Eddie Betts at the moment.

“He’s a special person, and when he said that all he wanted to do was put a smile on people’s faces, I’m pretty sure he’s done that.

“He’s done a lot for the AFL, for myself and young Indigenous kids as well – he’s played a huge part in my life.”

Charlie Cameron (left) and Eddie Betts train together at an AFL All-Stars session last year. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Cameron said he was playing a “small” but nonetheless important role in the fight against racism.

“I’m only playing a small role up here in Brissie with our Indigenous players, (but) there are other Indigenous players around the league that are playing their role to stop the racism and drive the cultures within the clubs with education.

“I try to play my role in educating everyone up here. I guess a little bit of education can go a long way to help Indigenous people.

“It’s all about educating everyone, and everyone buying into the racism in trying to stop it.”

The Lions will be hard to stop on Saturday such is their form.

Brisbane has amassed 260 points in their past two outings against Fremantle and the Magpies.

“We’ve finally found our mojo again,” Cameron said.

“It led on from the Freo game, and we were able to play our brand from the first centre bounce to the last.

“We’ll take confidence (from) the last few games, this one and going into the finals series.

“Another big game this weekend. It doesn’t matter where we finish, we want to try to finish the season off well to get us ready for the finals.”

Lions coach Chris Fagan has resisted the urge to recall Marcus Adams (foot) and Mitch Robinson (calf) from injury, naming the same 22 that beat the Magpies.

However, Adams has been named among the emergencies and may be used as a medi-sub if required.

Originally published as AFL: Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron hails the influence of Eddie Betts on his career