Will ‘embarrassed’ Jeremy Cameron’s contract talks be harmed by grand final defeat?
Jeremy Cameron will start contract talks with GWS in coming weeks as Victorian clubs eye the Coleman medallist. Will the Giants’ grand final horror show impact with future in western Sydney?
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Jeremy Cameron is expected to open contract talks with GWS over the coming weeks and the burning pain of Saturday’s grand final now becomes a key factor in his decision.
Cameron has one more year to serve on his Giants contract but said during the finals series that he would look to get the ball rolling on securing his long-term future after the season was finished.
The Coleman Medallist’s ultimate call on whether to stay in western Sydney, where he has been a pioneer since age 18, or return home to Victoria, will be based on a multitude of dynamics.
But there is no escaping the driving emotion of unfinished business.
Cameron said he was “embarrassed” by the horror show inflicted by Richmond and declared it will fuel a fierce response from a Giants outfit desperate to avenge the experience.
“You can go two ways. You can fall away and not want to get back here next year, or you can work harder to become better footballers and make sure we give ourselves another crack at it,” foundation star Cameron said.
“I know what this club will do.
“We’re very tight. We help each other a lot away from football and we’re better people because of that.
“It’s really hard at the moment and a bit embarrassing the way the scoreboard blew out in the end. It’s crazy comparing the feelings we had last week, to the feelings we have right now.
“It’s a whole mix of emotions.
“It’s going to be tough over the next week and I’m not sure when we’ll get over it. But one thing I know for certain is that we will. And we will come back stronger.”
Cameron has been grateful to the Giants for letting him play out 2019 without speaking about his contract.
He believes it’s contributed to his best ever AFL season.
He feels a powerful sense of loyalty to the Giants, but would have to consider offers from elsewhere, with Hawthorn and Essendon among the clubs already linked to arguably the No. 1 forward in the game.
The Giants would desperately love to lock away Cameron sooner rather than later, after Coniglio’s contract saga dragged on throughout 2019.
GWS also have supreme talent Lachie Whitfield coming off contract for 2020 who they will also want to tie up.
Coniglio and Josh Kelly have set a precedent at the club for the big stars committing their careers to western Sydney.