Mick McGuane says GWS star Jeremy Cameron shows all the hallmarks of Lance Franklin

Jeremy Cameron has the ability to dominate and dazzle like Lance Franklin and the similarities between the two are pretty obvious, writes MICK McGUANE.

Jeremy Cameron’s masterclass against Richmond last week was Buddy Franklin-like.

To have 30 possessions and kick seven goals as a key forward is just an outstanding return and only top-end talented players have the capability to do that.

The similarities between GWS’s most crucial man Cameron and Buddy are pretty obvious. They’re left-footers, they’re athletes. They draw the ball and they draw a crowd.

I loved Cameron getting up the ground last week, I think it’s where he plays his best footy.

NEW DEALS: GIANTS SIGN ON, TAKE AIM FOR DANGER

PITCHED BATTLE: CRICKET TO FIGHT AFL OVER SCG TURF

He uses his athleticism to create a variety of ways to score. On the lead, from contested marks, using his speed to get in behind, getting handball receives and then he’s just got such a beautiful kick.

When he is involved in one-on-one situations there’s a sense of panic from the opposition. And that’s Buddy-like.

Buddy versus Cale Hooker at the MCG comes to mind.

If you remember Buddy playing for Hawthorn at the time, he turns the Essendon defender inside out and kicks that miraculous goal on the boundary line taking three bounces. That’s what Cameron has the capabilities of doing.

If the Giants can manufacture space by emptying out their forward 50, winning the ball back at half-back, counter at speed, change the angles of the ball movement and change lanes in doing so – you might see Cameron kicking some running goals because he can read the play and get out the back.

Jeremy Cameron played a Buddy-like game against Richmond last week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

However, this week against Geelong presents a different challenge for GWS and Cameron.

Speed of ball movement will be critical for the Giants against such a well-structured team. Their turnover game was absolutely outstanding against Richmond. But they now face Geelong who are the No.1 turnover team in the competition.

If GWS go Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg up front I think they’ve got the artillery to hit the scoreboard and the synergy of those guys and their mobility playing together are going to cause some real headaches against defensive groups.

But is Geelong Cameron’s Achilles heel?

In games he’s played against Geelong he’s only kicked 11 goals, and at the Cattery only five in three games. He has never tasted victory against the Cats.

If Jeremy Cameron has a strong game, the Giants generally win. Picture: AAP

That says something to the quality of who he has had to contend with, and one of his main opponents since 2012 Harry Taylor – who kept him goalless in 2015 and 16 – might go on him again on Saturday.

What is very revealing is an analysis of Cameron’s output in wins compared to losses.

He averages 14 disposals when GWS wins, and when they lose it goes down to 10.

When he marks the ball in wins he averages 6, and in losses it’s down to 4.8. Marks inside 50 when they win is 3.1 — last week against Richmond he had 7 – but when the Giants lose he averages just 2. When GWS win he kicks 3.3 goals on average, and when they lose it’s down to 2.1.

Cameron is not dissimilar to Buddy in that he’s such a great team player and a good field kick, so in wins his score involvements is up around eight, but in losses he’s down to five.

There is significant drop-off in all these categories, and while there are a lot of mitigating circumstances for why someone can’t impact a game – it really just goes to show that when Cameron is on top of his game, it more often than not equates to the Giants winning.