Jeremy Cameron out for five but Dermott Brereton says attack on Giants forward over the top

AFL great Brereton says Jeremy Cameron was a victim of the “anti-Giants brigade” and those who haven’t properly analysed his hit on Andrews, calling out one commentator in particular.

Jeremy Cameron collides into Harris Andrews. Picture: Getty Images

AFL great Brereton says Jeremy Cameron was a victim of the “anti-Giants brigade” and commentators who haven’t properly analysed his hit on Andrews.

Brereton said former Sydney and Melbourne coach Paul Roos was one of the leaders when it came to going after GWS, and in particular Cameron over recent days.

The GWS forward was suspended for five weeks for an elbow to the head of Brisbane’s Harris Andrews that hospitalised the Lions’ vice-captain.

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Cameron was found guilty of intentional contact at the AFL tribunal in Melbourne, with the league pushing for a minimum six-week ban, while the Giants argued four weeks was appropriate.

It’s a crushing blow to the Giants’ finals hopes as he will miss the clashes against Hawthorn, West Coast Eagles, Richmond, Port Adelaide and St Kilda, before returning for the round 20 match against Carlton.

A contrite Cameron sent Andrews text messages after the match, checking on his welfare.

“I feel sick at the thought of how everything panned out,” Cameron wrote.

“It’s all a bit of a blur. I’m really sorry it happened and you couldn’t play out the game. I hope there is no serious damage. You’re going to be a champion mate.”

Greater Western Sydney Giants player Jeremy Cameron fronts the AFL tribunal. Picture: AAP

Brereton claims the Giants’ success has led to Melbourne-centric bias against the fledgling side, arguing fellow newcomers Gold Coast haven’t suffered anywhere near the same scrutiny.

“I like Roosy but he is the foundation member of the anti-Giants brigade,” Brereton said.

“Gold Coast have got plenty of friends in the media because they aren’t winning but the Giants are different.”

Brereton said few of the commentators had looked closely at the replay of Cameron’s clash with Andrews.

“He has a case to answer because his raised forearm hit Harris Andrews in the face,” Brereton said.

“If Darcy Gardiner doesn’t motion him forward that collision doesn’t have the same impact and could have been averted.

“Both boys are in air when the collision happens and once there was contact from behind to Jeremy he takes protective action and raises his forearm.”

Cameron was suspended for five games after his elbow concussed Brisbane’s Harris Andrews.

Brereton argued that Cameron didn’t intend to hit Andrews because he wasn’t looking at him and he only raised his forearm as a defensive action.

“He even turns his head away,” Brereton said.

“If you’re looking to elbow somebody in the head in a nasty fashion you don’t turn your head away.

“There aren’t too many MMA fighters who turned away when they were about to hit someone. In fact there are zero from the last two million punches or elbows thrown in that sport.”

The five-time Hawks premiership player also says Cameron has been a victim of attempts to attack his character rather than examine the incident in detail.

“We play a violent sport but we don’t like dirty acts,” Brereton said.

“This commentary around Jeremy Cameron has been fever pitch. There is a full-on attack on players who are reported and are involved in a violent action. It was a bad look, the injury was horrible but why did it happen?”

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Originally published as Jeremy Cameron out for five but Dermott Brereton says attack on Giants forward over the top