Darcy Cameron stakes his claim for Round 1 berth amid Sydney Swans ruck crisis

SUPERCOACH ALERT: DARCY Cameron has emerged as a genuine chance to carry the Swans’ ruck department early in the season after an impressive performance against GWS on Friday night in Sydney’s final hitout before its season opener against West Coast.

Darcy Cameron has put his best foot forward for a Round 1 berth. Picture: Phil Hillyard

WITH Sydney’s ruckmen dropping like flies Darcy Cameron has staked a claim for a berth in the first round clash against West Coast in Perth.

The 22-year-old competed hard against the vastly more experienced Dawson Simpson who won the hit outs around the ground decisively but the young Swan worked well when the ball hit the deck competing aggressively.

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For a big man (204cm) his disposal is first class and was on show when he put the footy onto the chest of Sam Reid for the opening goal of the third term. His fitness also looked impressive as he carried the vast majority of the workload with Dean Towers providing an ­occasional chop out.

Darcy Cameron has put his best foot forward for a Round 1 berth. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The West Australian came to the Swans from the 2016 draft and played nine games in the NEAFL before reconstructive surgery on his ­shoulder.

Two months ago Cameron was well down the pecking order in fourth spot among the Swans ruckmen.

But the shock retirement of Kurt Tippett in January followed by the season ending ACL injury to Sam Naismith has changed all that.

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Callum Sinclair remains the most likely to take get the nod for round one but still needs to prove his fitness in the next two weeks after rolling his ankle in last week’s JLT match against the Brisbane Lions.

In recent years when ­Tippett, Sinclair and Naismith have been fit the Swans have often played two big men but with the current state of ­affairs they will be forced to go small.

Cameron does battle with GWS’s Dawson Simpson. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Aliir Aliir, Dean Towers and Sam Reid are all capable of filling the role of occasional ruckman. Aliir will also have to prove his fitness after hurting his ankle against the Lions as well.

Sydney’s football manager Tom Harley confirmed during the week Tippett is still on the Swans playing list but ­dismissed suggestions they have sounded him out about a comeback.

During the off season the red and whites brought in former West Coast champion Dean Cox as a ruck coach replacing Stephen Taubert who had served in the role for the last 18 years.