Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron on the Cats’ round one forward line look

Geelong star Jeremy Cameron is used to a dominant partnership with Tom Hawkins but an emerging youngster is threatening to give the Cats a three-pronged forward line. He gives his verdict.

Jeremy Cameron interacts with fans at Geelong’s open training session ahead of Saturday’s round one clash against St Kilda. Picture: Brad Fleet

Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron is unsure if the Cats will take its three-pronged tall forward line into round one but remains confident it gives them different options to form a “dangerous” forward line.

Cameron, who played 20 games in 2023 before ending his season with shoulder surgery, feels ready for round one after an uninterrupted pre-season as he closes in on the 600-goal mark, with hopes he and Tom Hawkins can resume their fruitful partnership.

“Tom’s one of those guys, it doesn’t matter how many seasons you’ve played, he comes back and he’s always looking for new ways to get better and improve and help the team,” Cameron said.

Joining the two key forwards in pre-season has been Shannon Neale, with the 203cm big man “coming along well”, according to Cameron.

“It’s been exciting to see Shannon run and jump at the ball, we know how big he is in statue and when he launches at the footy and takes it at its highest point, it’s really nice to watch,” Cameron said.

“We’ve gone with it (three talls) for the big chunk of the pre-season.

“Whether that’s how it goes into round one, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron looks inside 50 during a pre-season clash against Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

Cameron believed the makeup of Geelong’s forward line could be shaken up if needed.

“We can all play different roles, we’re different players and then you mix in Ollie Henry, and Ollie Dempsey has come on,” he said.

“Closey (Brad Close) and Gryan (Miers) at ground level, then Tyson (Stengle) — it’s a dangerous look and we’ve got different options and I think that’s the key.”

The former Giant felt the Cats were ready for their season-opener against St Kilda, with excitement around footy’s return and the opening of the Joel Selwood stand energising Cameron himself.

He said the Cats’ off-season, which started a month earlier after they missed finals, was “different but for the better” as players had extra time to get their bodies right, with the Cats sporting an almost full-strength list heading into Saturday.

“It would be so hard to pick the round one team,” Cameron said.

While he wouldn’t buy into any predictions about where Geelong sits in the competition in 2024, Cameron felt the dynamic between the Cats’ experienced players and their young, up-and-coming talent was key to a finals return.

“You’ve got the experienced guys still looking at ways to improve,” he said.

“And off the back of that the younger guys can learn quicker off the experienced guys, you're always talking and giving each other feedback.

“Shannon can bounce of Hawky and myself whenever he wants... you can do that live on the track as soon as that plays finished.

“I think that’s the key to getting back to finals quicker... having that balance is great for the team.”

Originally published as Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron on the Cats’ round one forward line look