Jeremy Cameron is the new king of Sydney while Lance Franklin and the Swans face an epic challenge, writes Mick McGuane

One is dominating the competition as he races to a near-unbeatable lead in the Coleman Medal. The other is being forced to watch from the sidelines. There’s officially a new king in Sydney, with Buddy handing the crown to Jeremy Cameron.

Lance Franklin is no longer the king of Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard

With Lance Franklin out of condition, Sydney have a new king in town.

Based on the facts, Jeremy Cameron is the best forward in the competition.

The GWS Giants star is leading the goalkicking by a country mile for a ­reason.

Up the ground, his Giants teammates certainly trust him and I reckon he’s starting to trust his body again.

REVEALED: WHY BRIAN LAKE’S FOOTY DAYS ARE OVER

TEAMS SHOCK: FORMER HAWKS SKIPPER DROPPED TO VFL

SUPERCOACH: WILL DANGERFIELD PLAY AGAINST ROOS?

There was some clear evidence last week against St Kilda that he is prepared to get up the ground and connect out of defence.

He is Franklin-like when it comes to general play execution.

Cameron is a great field kick and his workrate and application to get to the contest is second-to-none.

Jeremy Cameron has been in stunning form for the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

He knows his body can get there and then his natural talent takes over.

Hawthorn will be on high alert on Sunday at the MCG and it’s little wonder the word out of Melbourne is the Hawks would be keen to poach him when he comes off contract in two years.

Over at the Swans, it’s a completely different story.

Franklin will miss his third game in a row on Friday night against Essendon and coach John Longmire desperately needs to find another way to win.

I reckon the Swans are competing reasonably well. The biggest issue they’ve got is their midfield and how inactive they are post-clearance.

This is particularly imperative at the SCG with its unique dimensions and explains why their fortress has been conquered over the past two seasons.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST

Why isn’t Sydney getting to work post-clearance? Is it a workrate issue? Is it an inability to read the play? Are they being reactive rather than proactive to where the footy is going?

Last week, Sydney were minus-37 against Brisbane for inside-50s. They were minus-11 against GWS. Minus-22 against Richmond. It was no coincidence that when they equalised the territory battle against Carlton, they won their only game of the season.

When you concede the numbers they are without the likes of Heath Grundy and Jarrad McVeigh in defence, you’re putting a huge amount of pressure on others in that part of the ground.

This is why their post-clearance work is such an important facet of the game and one they have to get right.

Sydney’s post-clearance ranking in contested possession differential is dead-last in the competition.

Lance Franklin is no longer the king of Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

But here is the silver lining: Essendon aren’t great either and are ranked 15th out of the 18 sides.

Friday night is a golden opportunity for Sydney to say, ‘Essendon, we’re going to challenge you post-clearance and kickstart our season’.

This is where the game can be determined.

If Sydney can actually bring effort and intensity and read the right cues about where the footy is going before Essendon do, then the Swans could stay in this game longer than what people think.