Massive Charlie Cameron rumour drops on Brisbane Lions

Rumours are swirling about the future of Lions star Charlie Cameron with the mercurial forward suddenly on a watch list.

Charlie Cameron. Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Lions star Charlie Cameron is reportedly being watched by rival clubs over a potential trade at the end of the 2024 season.

Cameron has been out of form this year as the Lions’ star-studded forward line continues to misfire, but suggestions he could leave will be a devastating blow to the club.

The 29-year-old has become one of the AFL’s biggest stars since joining the Lions and was handed a rich, long-term deal with Brisbane through to the end of the 2025 season.

However, AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge now reports clubs are keeping a watch on Cameron in case the mercurial forward does consider a trade.

If Cameron does want out, the Lions’ options would be to either trade him this year, or risk losing him to free agency at the end of 2025.

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“There’s a little bit of a trade watch on Charlie Cameron at the moment,” Beveridge said on the Gettable podcast.

“This time there are more clubs who are keeping an eye on it. He’s got a year to go on his contract at the Lions. Do I expect him to be asking for a trade? At the moment, no. But it doesn’t stop the other clubs having interest in him and there are clubs interested in him.

“He’s done it before as far as moving clubs with a year to go on his deal, from Adelaide to Brisbane.

Country roads. Take me home. Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“He’ so marketable and popular up in Brisbane I think something would have to drastically change, but there’s just a little trade one.”

Cameron has kicked just 18 goals from 43 attempts this season with the Lions falling away spectacularly from the team that went agonisingly close to winning the Grand Final last year.

The club has stabilised after a disastrous start to the season and now sits 13th on the ladder with four wins, one draw and six losses.

Brisbane is fighting a retention battle on multiple fronts with Hugh McCluggage among the big name players yet to commit to the club

McCluggage will become a restricted free agent when his Lions contract expires at the end of the season, which has led to a host of Victorian clubs showing interest in bringing him back to his home state.

The Lions have stronger bargaining power with Cameron because he is contracted for a further 12 months.

Chris Fagan is under the pump. Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Struggling for form earlier this season, Cameron said he was attempting to revert to “keeping it simple” as his goalkicking struggles continued.

Cameron booted a career season-high tally of 59 goals last year, but his form has mirrored the club’s slump.

“I just haven’t been playing consistent footy,” he said earlier this month.

“Probably over the last few weeks, I’ve been just trying to go back to my focus areas, which is pressure and bringing energy. I feel like I’ve brought that the past two weeks.

“It hasn’t been showing on the scoreboard with goalkicking, which is disappointing, but I’ve got to keep working on it, keep bringing it back to those focus areas of just bringing pressure and then letting my game evolve after that.”

Cameron said he had become too concerned with the “outcome” with his goalkicking rather than trusting the “process”.

“I was over-thinking – it was playing on my mind,” he said.

“I’m just trying to get back to narrowing my focus and just keeping it simple.

“Hopefully, it’ll start clicking soon. I’ve just got to keep at it and keep believing in myself.”

The Lions have a bye in Round 12 before a must-win clash with the Western Bulldogs on June 7.