GWS has emerged from Jeremy Cameron’s suspension in better shape than when it began

RATHER than derail its premiership campaign, GWS has emerged from Jeremy Cameron’s five-week suspension in better shape which has given it another boost heading towards finals.

Jeremy Cameron celebrates a GWS goal.

RATHER than derail their premiership campaign, the GWS Giants have emerged from Jeremy Cameron’s five week suspension in the best possible shape.

The Giants were languishing in 10th place on the AFL ladder when Cameron was outed for his hit on Brisbane’s Harris Andrews during the Round 14 win over the Lions.

But with four wins from their past five matches, the Giants are right in the flag hunt, and Cameron has spent his time out to finally recover from a toe injury which hampered most all of his 2018 campaign.

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While his cross town counterpart Lance Franklin has had to push through the pain of his sore foot, Cameron has used his time on the sidelines to get into the best shape he’s been in all year.

While they’ve managed wins over Richmond, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide in his absence, the Giants will welcome Cameron back with open arms on Sunday against last-placed Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

“He’s fully recovered from his sore toe,” Giants football manager Wayne Campbell said.

Jeremy Cameron is tackled by Jarrod Harbrow and Rory Thompson.

“We rested him for a week against Geelong early in the season but he really required a month.

“With the good players they push on and he did that. We would have loved him to keep playing but the one thing the suspension has allowed us to do is get his toe right.”

Campbell said Cameron spent the first fortnight of his ban keeping the weight off his troublesome big toe, and the last three training at top pace.

“His first couple of weeks were off legs but after that he’s done an enormous amount of work,” Campbell said.

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“It will take him time to get his match fitness and touch back so we’re not expecting too much from the get go. But he is in pretty good physical shape. He’s trained very hard and he is an incredibly hard worker.”

The man Cameron hit with his elbow five weeks Harris Andrews had a challenging return to action against Geelong on Saturday with his opponent Tom Hawkins kicking seven goals on him.

Cameron expressed his regrets at the damage he caused Andrews and Campbell said his player was sincere.

Jeremy Cameron leaves the AFL Tribunal.

“He was really remorseful when the incident happened,” Campbell said.

“He was sorry straight away. He’s a really balanced personality Jeremy he doesn’t ride the rollercoaster of footy.”

The Giants argued at the tribunal Cameron’s intent wasn’t to hurt Andrews but conceded he needed to change his approach.

“He needs to change something,” Campbell said.

“Jeremy understands he can’t attack contests in that manner because we can’t have him off the field. The coaches will try to reign in his aggression, the beauty of him is he is a physical player who loves the contest. He loves to tackle and fly for the ball in the air. Sometimes that doesn’t go well. He needs to change a little bit but that’s for the coaches to do.”

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Originally published as GWS has emerged from Jeremy Cameron’s suspension in better shape than when it began