Schoolkids at Dartmoor Primary School are counting Jeremy Cameron’s goals

Jeremy Cameron could kick 100 goals this year if he can maintain his superb early-season form. And his hometown, who took on the AFL club’s emblem after their boy headed north, is already prepared should the moment arrive.

Jeremy Cameron boots another goal. Pic: AAP

Jeremy Cameron’s presence looms large over Dartmoor.

You can’t miss him.

It’s clearly a sign.

The school where the Giants star spent his early years boasts a large scoreboard bearing his image. It keeps a tally of the goals kicked by this tiny southwestern Victorian town’s favourite son.

Today it reads ‘30’ but a closer look reveals there’s room for two digits to become three should he manage to kick the magic 100 this season.

Actually, this is scoreboard 2.0. The original one was put up in 2013 but it made way for today’s swanky version, when the school received the new one from arguably Cameron’s biggest fan.

Jeremy Cameron fans from Dartmoor public school.

“Yes, Jeremy’s dad (Leon) very generously donated a new one,” says Dartmoor Primary School principal Rose Wombwell.

The 20 or so pupils follow Cameron’s progress very closely and every Monday the goal tally is carefully updated.

A rare goal-free afternoon against Hawthorn last week means the child responsible had a rare day off from scoreboard duty but the school hopes it will be business as normal after this weekend’s clash with Carlton.

A recent trip to watch the Giants coincided with one pupil’s birthday. Cue one delighted child running out with Cameron and his teammates through the banner at the start of the game.

“Whenever someone or a group goes to watch the Giants, Jeremy always looks after them,” Ms Wombwell says.

But then you’d struggle to find anyone with a bad word to say about Cameron here.

Dartmoor has a population of 263 according to the 2011 census but this is a community big on its footy and huge on Jeremy Cameron.

“The Jeremy that walks into the pub is the same Jeremy as the bloke who left,” says one of the key figures in putting the Coleman Medal favourite on the road to success.

Giants fans owe a big thanks to Dartmoor Giants footy club stalwarts Tony Woodall and Don Pratt.

Cameron has been in career-best form in 2019. Pic: Phil Hillyard

Having seen young Jeremy playing school footy, they had no doubt this kid had ‘it’ and needed to test himself against the big blokes.

Tony and fellow Dartmoor Giants committee member Don — Dartmoor Swans as they were at that stage — paid a visit to Jeremy Cameron’s parents.

Thankfully, and after some initial reservations about their boy getting hurt, Mr and Mrs Cameron agreed to let Jeremy step up and the rest is … well, you know.

“It’s a very big achievement and the town is very proud of Jeremy,” Tony says.

“He comes back all the time and catches up with everyone. He and my son played junior footy together.

“I was president of the club at the time he played (for Dartmoor) and I can still remember Don and I going round there to see his parents to see if it was OK to play senior footy. They were a bit worried about him getting hurt but I’m glad that we managed to convince them.”

Young Cameron’s talent was quickly spotted and his time playing for Dartmoor was brief. Not that the club is complaining.

His parents still attend games and younger brother Travis enjoys a run with the side.

“It would be wonderful if Jeremy can kick 100 goals, I really hope he does,” Tony says.

Dartmoor, a community which hasn’t always had it easy following the closure of the local mill, officially joined the Giants family back in 2014 when Cameron and then GWS coach Kevin Sheedy made the trip for the official launch.

Cameron on an earlier visit back to where it all began for him.

The Dartmoor Swans became the Dartmoor Giants and haven’t looked back.

Two grand final triumphs followed in 2014 and 2017.

“Even with their star forward living and playing a key role for us here in western Sydney, Dartmoor has managed to secure two premierships since pulling on the orange for the first time five years ago,” Giants CEO Dave Matthews told The Saturday Telegraph.

As for Cameron, the man himself is as proud of his town as it is of him.

“The Dartmoor Giants have always been some of my biggest fans and I’m so grateful for all their support across the years and this season has been no different,” he said. “I try and sneak as many footies and old Giants gear as I can to them until our property guy finds out.”

Finally, there’s great news for the other member of the Giants family. And Jezza can perhaps expect a call from Giants netball coach Julie Fitzgerald.

Back to school principal Ms Wombwell.

“Jeremy had no issue over filling in if a team was short and it’s something the boys at the school embrace today,” she says.

Well, if it’s good enough for Jezza ...

Originally published as Schoolkids at Dartmoor Primary School are counting Jeremy Cameron’s goals