GWS makes history by matching Geelong’s monster offer for Jeremy Cameron

GWS has made history by matching Geelong’s monster bid to rip Jeremy Cameron from the Giants’ grasp, setting up an intriguing situation.

Jeremy Cameron’s future isn’t sorted yet.

GWS has officially matched Geelong’s offer for Jeremy Cameron in a desperate bid to keep the key forward in Sydney.

Cameron wants to play for the Cats in 2021 but the Giants aren’t letting him go without a fight, becoming the first club in nine years of free agency to ever match a rival club’s offer.

The bombshell development means Cameron has the option of either re-signing with GWS or being traded during the upcoming trade period.

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Geelong’s offer to the 2019 Coleman Medallist was reported to be a staggering $4.5 million over five years as they look to add some firepower up forward alongside Tom Hawkins.

The Giants were in line to receive pick 11 or 12 at the draft as compensation for losing Cameron, but their rebuttal means the Cats will now be forced to cough up a more attractive offer when both clubs come together at the trade table.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reported Geelong was taken aback by the Giants’ response.

“I actually think Geelong were a bit surprised. My mail is they were very confident they would get Jeremy Cameron for nothing trade-wise,” Edmund told SEN Breakfast.

“That offer is enormous, five years at more than $900,000. I think they were somewhat surprised that the match has come back from GWS.

“It’s fascinating now because if a best 22 player isn’t offered up then it’s game on ... Pick 11 for Jeremy Cameron isn’t going to cut it up there.

“We could be talking three-way trades, four-way trades or anything to make it happen.”

The Giants are desperate to keep Cameron.

Cameron is a foundation player at the Giants and has been the team’s leading goalkicker every year, but dropped a bomb on GWS by announcing his intention to explore free agency in the hopes of linking up with the Cats.

The Sydney club missed out on the finals this year for the first time since 2015 and some pundits have suggested its premiership window is closed after narrowly missing out on the ultimate prize in recent seasons.

Cameron was on a heavily back-ended deal that was reportedly going to net him $1.5m this season before COVID-19 hit and slashed salaries across the board.

His departure would be a massive blow to the Giants, who are facing an exodus of stars this off-season. Rebounding defender Zac Williams has accepted a monster long-term deal from Carlton, Aidan Corr is heading to North Melbourne and bright young prospect Jye Caldwell has requested a trade back to Victoria.