Teammates reveal how Gary Rohan shrugged off Jeremy Cameron hit to become a matchwinner

Cats players reveal how Gary Rohan stood tall after an accidental hit knocked out teammate Jeremy Cameron. Plus, why he shouldn’t cop match review scrutiny.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Gary Rohan of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal during the round 15 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Melbourne Demons at GMHBA Stadium, on June 22, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Electric Geelong forward Gary Rohan should not face any match review scrutiny for his friendly fire collision with Jeremy Cameron as teammate Brad Close reveals how the Cats kept Rohan’s head in the game on Thursday night.

Gary Rohan shares care for injury teammate Jeremy Cameron. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Rohan accidentally knocked Cameron out with his shoulder in a marking contest in the first quarter of a win over Melbourne and could have come under the microscope if the incident had involved an opponent.

AFL laws state that a rough conduct charge is only “against an opponent”, not a teammate.

Rohan shrugged off the hit to boot three goals in a matchwinning effort, with coach Chris Scott describing him as the “most dangerous player on the ground”.

Gary Rohan chats with Brad Close. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

On a wet night Rohan’s contribution, which included a final-term goal in which he burnt off Melbourne star Steven May to help the Cats kick clear and set up the 15-point win, proved critical to the victory.

Forwardline teammate Brad Close said the Cats were keen to support Rohan as Cameron was stretchered from the field.

“He felt bad at the time and I don’t blame him, I reckon anyone would feel like that,” Close said.

“It’s not hard to be distracted by that and have a bad game and not stay focused.

“We kept saying to him, ‘you are a key player for us’ and I thought he was one of the best players on the ground.

“Some of his efforts in chasing and those three goals, I thought he was unbelievable.”

Gary Rohan celebrates his last quarter goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Defender Sam De Koning described Rohan as a “really sensitive bloke” who would have realised his importance to the team once Cameron was ruled out of the contest.

“He is a really sensitive bloke and he really cares about his teammates so it would have affected him but footy is just footy and Gary attacks it 100 per cent of the time,” De Koning said.

“There is no way he wouldn’t do that for the rest of the game because he would know his importance to the forward line after ‘Jez’ was gone and it was really good to see his huge impact in winning us the game in the end.”

Originally published as Teammates reveal how Gary Rohan shrugged off Jeremy Cameron hit to become a matchwinner