Footy21: Geelong recruit Jeremy Cameron reveals why he nearly stayed at GWS

Jeremy Cameron was the headline name of last year’s trade period but there were moments when the Cats recruit thought about taking the easy option.

Jeremy Cameron moved to Geelong because he wanted a new challenged. Picture: Michael Klein

The deal that saw Giants forward Jeremy Cameron move to Geelong was one of the biggest trade moves in 2020.

It was also the biggest decision in the 27-year-old’s life after leaving the western Victorian town of Dartmoor 10 years ago, heading for Sydney’s bright lights and the AFL’s newest club.

Cameron reveals the angst of making that big call to join the Cats and the tension of waiting for the deal to be signed off with just minutes to spare in the Herald Sun’s Footy 2021 magazine out on Saturday.

And Cameron admits there were times he thought about “taking the easy option” and staying put, before he was swayed by a return to Victoria, the anticipation of playing finals and helping the Cats secure that elusive premiership.

“The more I thought about it the more I’d stress out about the whole thing,” Cameron says. “Do I really want to meet a whole new list? I’m going to have to change states. It’s going to be pretty big in the media … do I just take the easy option and not do it?

“But deep down I knew I wanted a new challenge, and I was ready for it. That’s what I toyed with a lot. The longer it went on the more I knew a change was going to help me.”

Get your copy of the gloss Footy 2021 magazine at selected Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and participating newsagents with your Herald Sun for $7.95 from Saturday

Lance Franklin is looking to put 2020 behind him. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Fatherhood has changed Franklin

After a frustrating 2020, Sydney star Lance Franklin is focusing all his energies on getting his body right and helping his club back into finals contention.

While he has battled calf soreness in recent weeks, Franklin has been excited to watch the progress of his teammates on the track.

He reveals in the Footy 2021 magazine, out on Saturday, the players who have impressed, from gun forward Tom Papley to Isaac Heeney and newcomer Logan McDonald, but was mindful of putting too much pressure on the young Perth product.

“He’s (McDonald) only a kid,’’ Franklin said.

“I do feel that sometimes you want the young kids to come on quicker than they actually can. You look at (Matt) Rowell, from Gold Coast, not every first-year player is going to come in like him.

“But Logan’s got a bright future and I’ll do everything possible to help him out, especially in these next couple of years.”

That focus on the kids and his passion for footy has never waned for Franklin, who said the current game was “in a really good spot”.

The 34-year-old talks about how fatherhood has changed him and what reaching the 300-game milestone has meant to him.

“That was a real significant moment for everyone who’s been involved in my career and the work I’ve put in,” Franklin said.

Get your copy of the gloss Footy 2021 magazine at selected Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and participating newsagents with your Daily Telegraph for $7.95 from Saturday

Charlie Cameron reveals he was a latecomer to AFL. Picture: Getty Images

Greats who have inspired Charlie

Brisbane livewire Charlie Cameron can barely contain his excitement when talking about the sporting greats who inspire him.

The popular Lions goalsneak reveals his love of athletes from all walks of life in the Footy 2021 magazine.

From American football star Julio Jones, who was presented with a signed Lions jumper, to Queensland rugby league stars Greg Inglis and Bill Slater, Cameron said he loved athletes who gave back to their communities.

The 26-year-old said they inspired him to make his own mark in his chosen sport, though he admitted being a latecomer when it came to falling in love with AFL.

Growing up, Cameron followed rugby league and union but since turning to AFL as a teenager he has fully thrown himself into the game.

And he loves nothing more than bringing joy to the fans.

“You want to entertain people and put a smile on their faces,” he said.

He will be hoping the Lions can generate more of that excitement this season after falling short in last year’s preliminary final loss to Geelong.

Get your copy of the gloss Footy 2021 magazine at selected Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and participating newsagents with your Courier-Mail for $7.95 from Saturday