Marsh Series lessons: Darcy Cameron shows he could be Collingwood’s ‘ultimate freebie’
Darcy Cameron only played one Marsh Series game, but the new Collingwood ruckman showed he could be the bargain recruit of 2020. Jon Ralph reviews the recruiting steals after our first glimpse of players in their new colours.
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In another era the Western Bulldogs would have had to throw the king’s ransom at Josh Bruce.
An old-fashioned bash-and-crash forward who just never stops taking contested marks and in every season without injury as a key forward has kicked between 36-50 goals.
Somehow as St Kilda juggled a million trade priorities the Bulldogs identified their man and eventually got him for a steal – picks 32 and 51 after some brinkmanship.
Not only did the Dogs keep a high pick for small forward Cody Weightman (pick 15), they could also secure Alex Keath for pick 45 with a shuffle of second and third-round picks.
It took some cap space, but thank you very much Tom Boyd for leaving millions on the table to get that done.
Against Port Adelaide Bruce was advertised for a player who kicked 36 goals and took 43 contested marks last year.
Four goals, seven marks (three contested) on a blustery day where Luke Beveridge conceded delivery to forwards was below par at times.
It is early days but if you rate the traded players on bang for buck — what clubs gave up — he shapes as the biggest difference maker.
Who else is in that category from an admittedly tiny sample size?
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2. Ex-Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs is only 31 and after 23 hit-outs in Marsh 1 the new Giant was superb against Richmond with 18 disposals, and 13 of his 27 hit-outs to advantage as well as nine marks. All for a future fourth-rounder.
3. Darcy Cameron is the ultimate freebie, the ex-Sydney ruckman taken for pick 56 with the Pies getting pick 62 back. The new Pie might not even start Round 1 but his tap-work was so good against Richmond he is one to watch.
4. St Kilda basically got Zak Jones for pick 32 with a shuffle of 2020 third and fourth rounders and against Collingwood at Morwell he showcased his hard edge and ability to weave out of stoppages with 20 touches, four score involvements and 373 metres gained.
He can improve his disposals but still think he’s a beauty who immediately improves Brett Ratten’s midfield.
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5. Jack Steven went for a song to Geelong for pick 58 for obvious reasons. The likelihood of a plus-50 pick playing more than 50 games is around 10 per cent, so this still shapes as a potential masterstroke. All he needs is a three-goal, 18-possession final to frank this deal.
6. Melbourne paid up big time salary-wise for Adam Tomlinson and Ed Langdon, with the ex-Giant a free agent and Langdon going for a 2020 second-rounder with later picks flying back and forth. Tomlinson racked up 32 touches against Hawthorn (with 13 contested) plus ten marks, while Langdon has had 25 and 19 touches, including six stoppage clearances against the Hawks. Already the Demons look so much more organised on both wings.
7. Eddie Betts for a future fourth-round pick. He isn’t going to dazzle with pace, he probably isn’t even going to defend that well. But in the Pies scratch match and against the Lions he kicked two and gave plenty off. And without Tom Papley who else is he keeping out of that small forward role?
8. The Hawks haven’t been flash but after giving up only a future fourth-rounder for Jon Patton he has held up his end of the bargain. The Demons kept him to six disposals and 1.1 but against St Kilda in a dozen touches he took six marks for 3.2. The issue might be him getting the best forward every week.
9. St Kilda paid the world for Brad Hill – both with picks and salary – but sometimes it’s just worth it for a lick of class. Against Hawthorn he went at 82 per by foot with his 18 disposals, cutting the Hawks to ribbons. Then against the Pies in his 28 touches he had a game-high 592 metres gained and eight score involvements. Keep him fit and he’s the icing on the cake for a tough Saints midfield. West Coast handed over a massive deal for Tim Kelly and while he will be a star, he has gone at 39 and 50 per cent by foot in his two games despite averaging 28 possessions.
10. Essendon got Carlton ruck Andrew Phillips for nothing, handing over picks 57 and 70 and getting back 61 and 72. Against West Coast he was excellent with 21 hit-outs, a dozen touches and a goal. It already looks an inspired selection with Sam Draper back in the second half of the season.
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Originally published as Marsh Series lessons: Darcy Cameron shows he could be Collingwood’s ‘ultimate freebie’