Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins already working well together in Geelong’s forward line
Geelong captain Joel Selwood has issued a warning to the rest of the competition about the superstar Jeremy Cameron-Tom Hawkins forward partnership.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Champion Geelong captain Joel Selwood says prized forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron have already formed a close partnership that will help spearhead the club’s premiership tilt this season.
Cameron will make his Geelong debut against Adelaide on Saturday after overcoming a hamstring problem in the pre-season which robbed the two star forwards of three weeks of valuable timing time together.
But Selwood, 32, has backed the superstar combination to fire this season, even if takes the goal kicking duo some time to adjust to each other’s games in the early part of the season.
“They are working it out with the other guys in the forward line,” Selwood said.
“At times they might be pushing one out of the way, but there will also be times that they work really well close together too.
“Like all of the guys, they have got a licence to play and free wheel and to use their natural ability to do what they like.
“Jez had a hamstring for a three-week period so, they have probably only had a month (of training) together.
It’s time to register for Australia’s best fantasy footy game – KFC SuperCoach. Register now at supercoach.com.au
“So, what we see over the journey might be up and down at different times. They will have good games and bad games as we all do.
“But there is going to be a lot more ups than downs.”
Geelong parted with three high picks in exchange for Cameron, 27, and two second-rounders back in the deal to secure the Coleman Medallist as part of an at times tense trade negotiation last year.
Cameron, Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) and Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne) all made the move to the Cattery to help recharge the team’s finals aspirations after going down to the Tigers in the Grand Final last year.
While Cameron agonised over the call, Selwood said the full forward had settled seamlessly into life off the field at Geelong and will help add a different dimension to the forward line alongside Hawkins.
“They are both special talents,” Selwood said.
“It is incredible the footy Tomahawk is playing at his age and Jeremy is really laconic and is really enjoying life.
“He loves it down here, he like an ambassador for the coast line, he doesn’t stop moving and to see how much he is enjoying everything, it is really cool to see.”
The Cats will be missing Mitch Duncan and Esava Ratugolea for the opening round clash but Smith and Higgins are both ready to make an instant impact for Chris Scott’s men in the midfield and forward half.
Selwood said the club had picked their three new recruits’ brains to try and improve their game style for 2021 even though the game is expected to shift towards more offensive running on the back of the new man on the mark rule.
Selwood, who has won three premierships as part of a glittering career, said there was still plenty of fire in the belly to help him try and climb the mountain for a fourth time.
And he has hardly missed a session over summer, putting together his fullest pre-season campaign in several years.
“I’ve been out there almost the whole time which is something I haven’t done for a few years,” he said.
“The knee is feeling good, the body is feeling good.
“We thought the season itself was really good last year. We really liked the first half of the Grand Final.
“We would have loved to do things a little bit better in the second half but with the quality opposition we had that day just taught us another couple of lessons and maybe that is all we need to get to where we want to.
“We understand that we start last again this weekend, along with 17 other sides and we have got a journey to go on again.”
Pre-season intel: Who’s training the house down at your club
Pre-season matches begin this month, which means players are stepping it up a notch on the track. Who are the ones impressing at your club? Get all intel from across the league here.
Track watch: Port gives glimpse into Lukosius plans
Port Adelaide recruit Jack Lukosius has long been adamant he is best used as a forward – but, as we learnt on Friday, Ken Hinkley might have other ideas. Get all the latest match sim intel.