GWS boss David Matthews says it’s time the footy world showed Leon Cameron some respect
LEON Cameron has taken a team smashed by injuries and helped them reach the second week of the finals. So why doesn’t he have the respect of the AFL world? The Giants want that to change.
GREATER Western Sydney boss David Matthews says it is time for the AFL world to show coach Leon Cameron some respect.
The Giants have been ravaged by injuries this year and at one stage seemed likely to miss finals but instead take on Collingwood for a place in next week’s preliminary final.
Matthews told the Herald Sun that while newly contracted Cameron was criticised after losses, he rarely got credit when the team prospered.
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“The thing I would say is, it’s time for the footy industry to show him the respect he actually deserves because all the jokes about being handed keys to the Ferrari,” he said.
“Sometimes you are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. You are expected to win a flag and if you miss the finals it’s a massive failure. There is no point having a good list without the right leader and Leon Cameron is the right leader.
“He has been everything we had hoped for and more, so we are over the moon with him.”
Matthews said the club had proved its culture and character this season despite so many people believing the only reason it thrived was because of a clutch of high draft picks.
“I think hopefully the club gets a lot of credit these days for character more so than talent,” he said.
“A lot of people thought that we were not going to make the eight or the year would run aground with the amount of injuries.
“I think there is evidence all over the competition that having early picks doesn’t guarantee anything, whether you are looking at Melbourne now compared to when they had those early picks years ago, Carlton with early picks in the last couple of decades on.
“It is great for the leadership of Leon Cameron, (football boss) Wayne Campbell and the player leaders.
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“We have got a very good leadership group led by Callan Ward and Phil Davis who have done a great job to keep everyone positive and focused.
“I saw today Callan Ward and Phil Davis are the equal longest serving captains in the competition along with Joel Selwood.
“It vindicates the decision to recruit and target those guys early on and develop them as leaders.”
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Originally published as GWS boss David Matthews says it’s time the footy world showed Leon Cameron some respect