Geelong v Brisbane: How will Chris Fagan stop Jeremy Cameron?

Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron has been the most lethal player in the competition over the past fortnight. But the Lions might be uniquely equipped to handle the Cats’ matchwinner.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 14: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats marks the ball during the round five AFL match between Geelong Cats and North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium, on April 14, 2024, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

It’s the headache that would have kept Chris Fagan up all week – how do the Lions stop Jeremy Cameron?

Cats coach Chris Scott has given his superstar forward a licence to roam free this season and North Melbourne paid the ultimate price for refusing to do something about it last weekend.

Cameron was a clear best on ground in the Cats’ 75-point demolition of the Kangaroos, cashing in for six goals from 21 disposals in an ominous all-round display.

It came a week after he put the Western Bulldogs to the sword with a 27-disposal performance that could have been even better if not for his wayward 2.4 in front of goal.

Jeremy Cameron has been in stunning form over the past few weeks. Picture: Michael Klein

Next on the unbeaten Cats’ agenda is a trip to the Gabba, where a rejuvenated Lions will be eager to keep their run rolling following a similar smashing of the Kangaroos and statement victory over Melbourne at the MCG.

Fagan was deservedly praised for his coaching performance against the Demons.

Subtle tweaks to the inside 50 structure allowed his trio of star forwards in Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood to all cash-in while simultaneously stretching the Demons’ defensive set-up.

His rotating use of the wingers to smother Christian Petracca at stoppage resulted in the Melbourne star’s worst output in almost two seasons and underpinned the Lions’ stoppage dominance in the 22-point victory.

Fagan outcoached Simon Goodwin and successfully stifled the influence of Melbourne’s superstars. Now he may have to pull another move from his coaching bag of tricks to help quell the impact of Cameron.

Since he swapped from the Giants to the Cattery in 2021 Cameron has been good without being great against the Lions.

He has kicked just five goals in four games, with three of those coming in Brisbane’s 11-point win at the Gabba in Round 19 last year.

But this version of Cameron is different gravy.

Brisbane’s backline – along with the rest of the side – has returned to form over the past fortnight. They held the Demons to just 25 points through the first three quarters before easing off once the game had been comfortably won.

Chris Fagan’s use of Charlie Cameron against Melbourne helped break up the Demons’ defensive structure. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But Geelong boasts the most multifaceted attack of any the Lions have faced so far this season.

With Tom Hawkins expected to return after sitting out the Kangaroos clash, the Cats will roll into the Gabba with their two spearheads flanked by in-form small forwards Tyson Stengle, Gryan Miers and Brad Close.

Who takes Cameron? The easy answer would be Harris Andrews, except the Lions won’t want the heart and soul of their defence following him high up the ground.

It’s Cameron’s ability to get up the field and lose his defender coming back towards goal that makes him a match-up nightmare, in the same way Fagan deployed Daniher, Hipwood and Charlie Cameron at stages against Melbourne to break up the May-Lever tandem.

The unheralded Ryan Lester could be the man tasked with tying himself to Cameron if he gets on his bike.

At 192cm the unassuming veteran defender has the combination of aerial and ground games best suited to taking on the Cats’ spearhead if he goes on his searching runs outside 50.

Scott this week said the blessing and curse of having a player like Cameron was ensuring you got the most out of his unique skill set be it as a deep forward or up the ground.

“I think he’s got a lot of similarities with Lance Franklin in the way he played and the challenge coaching against Franklin at his best was always you can’t stop him everywhere,” he told AFL360.

“And we think a little bit about this with Cameron as well. I think most teams would have said playing against Franklin at his best, if he’s going to have 20 (possessions) can he have them on the wing?

“So for Cameron to be up there he’s got to have a real impact going forward and I think the balance is when he kicks six (goals), well that balance is probably right. If we’re taking goals away from him to get touches between the arcs, that’s where we would hesitate a little.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott has enabled Jeremy Cameron to flourish by giving him a licence to roam. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

That could be the Lions’ blueprint to beating Cameron and the Cats – stifle his impact up the ground and force him back inside 50 in a more traditional key forward role, allowing Andrews to run with him.

Easier said than done, of course.

The alternative is to successfully do what no other team has been able to so far this season: call the Cats’ bluff.

Brisbane is one of the few sides equipped to do so.

In Daniher the Lions have their own version of Cameron – a star key forward capable of finding the footy high up the ground and hurting teams going back the other way.

Among all key forwards this season Cameron (18.6) and Daniher (15.4) rank No. 1 and No. 2 for disposals per game and No. 2 and No. 5 for score involvements per game (8.0 and 7.4 respectively).

Brisbane’s main man has averaged 17.5 disposals, 9.5 marks and 3.5 goals over the past fortnight and working his way back into the devastating form of last season.

If the Lions are to give Cameron a long leash, they will expect a similar output from their star forward going the other way.

As with most matches at the Gabba, this game will likely be won and lost in the Lions’ forward 50.

Brisbane has its own version of Jeremy Cameron in the form of star forward Joe Daniher. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Fagan’s side is AFL No. 1 this season for time in forward half, inside 50s and forward half intercepts – however converting that territory dominance into scores has been a challenge. They rank 15th for scores per inside 50 and 11th for points from forward half intercepts.

Geelong meanwhile rates 2nd for defending scores per inside 50 and 1st for points against from turnover.

The Lions have struggled to convert territory into scores, while the Cats are among the competition’s best at limiting the opposition once they go inside 50.

The stats paint an intriguing picture on paper and the reality is no different. For both sides this looms as the biggest test of their respective seasons so far, in a game that could have long-term finals ramifications.