Geelong star Jeremy Cameron on potential 100-goal milestone, YouTube content and his zoo stay before five-goal haul

Jeremy Cameron’s unconventional preparation before one of his recent bags shows just how laid back he is. And it highlights the perfect balance that has put an elusive 100-goal milestone within reach.

While some AFL players weigh their food and are locked in on footy 24/7, Jeremy Cameron is a carefree Cat.

Or perhaps Cameron’s spirit animal is a tiger or lion, if his unconventional preparation for Geelong’s clash with St Kilda a fortnight ago is anything to go by.

In the lead-up to his five-goal haul, the freewheeling, goalkicking, video producing marvel stayed overnight at Werribee Open Range Zoo with his wife Indiana, young daughter Macey and the animals.

When he is not kicking goals on-field, just 31 majors shy of the elusive 100-goal milestone with the potential for more bags in the last month against Port Adelaide, Essendon and Richmond, he is starring off it on his popular YouTube channel, @Jezzacameron.

Cameron’s 53,300 subscribers see him up close and personal; life on the farm, behind the scenes at the club, in the great outdoors, and everything in between.

Jeremy Cameron went on to kick five goals against St Kilda after staying at Werribee Zoo ahead of the clash. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“It’s good fun, it’s nice doing different things. (The other week) we stayed at the zoo. That was fun, a couple of days out from the game, just stayed with the animals out there at the zoo which is a nice little change-up,” Cameron said.

“I say it is for Macey because she loves animals, but I love the animals more, so it was probably for the both of both of us.

“That’ll be a good video when that one comes out too, it was good to interact with all the animals.

“I’ve just been super busy, but I have got a fair backlog of videos to come in the next few weeks.”

That experience epitomises the 32-year-old’s important on-field/off-field balance which has allowed his footy to thrive.

Jeremy Cameron celebrates one of his 11 goals against North Melbourne. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I always bring it back to that balance of life away from football and life on the field. So if you’ve got that in a good place, then I think you’re halfway there,” Cameron said.

“But (the zoo visit is) what it’s all about, having fun.

“That’s what I mean by the off-field stuff balancing out the on-field and then I’m having fun with both, on and off the field.”

Cameron made headlines after booting a career-high 11 goals against North Melbourne to take his tally to 69 for the season, putting the 100-goal milestone within reach.

However, he has only watched three clips from the game despite the fanfare – and none of those were highlights.

That is standard procedure for the spearhead as he remains grounded and in the moment, but that’s not to say he doesn’t get frustrated with his performance at times.

Jeremy Cameron doesn’t look back on his games. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“This week, I haven’t looked at any of the weekend’s stuff because I just don’t want to see it, that’s how I sort of roll,” Cameron said.

“Might be lucky to look at two or three clips a week if ‘Rahls’ (Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly) can twist my arm.

“If I play a bad game, for example, I try not to take it home, but at times I do.

“And I have throughout each season. I’ve had a few moments where I’ve been pretty p---ed off a lot with myself. And it doesn’t normally last long, it’s a day or two, but I know I don’t really need to see the footage to know what I’ve done wrong in that game, I’m more angry that I did nothing about it whilst the game’s on.

“So I don’t really need to look into it and dig too deep to know what’s happened and why I played like that.

“I always look to improve – the three clips I have watched this week were three clips that were, not bad, but I can improve on, more so than the good stuff.”

Cameron doesn’t have to go far the prospect of 100 goals to be brought up.

The excitement in children’s eyes casts his mind back to watching Lance Franklin and Brendan Fevola going for the ton in 2008 as a 15-year-old.

Jeremy Cameron has had plenty of kids mentioning his potential milestone. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But the only thing ‘Jezza’ has his sights on is another premiership for the Cats and the wins each week that will get them there.

“Most of the time I don’t really look into it too much, but it’s been brought up a fair bit,” Cameron said.

“Every kid you speak to talks about it. I remember when I was a kid watching Buddy kick 100 and Fev finishing on 99 all those years ago.

“It’s exciting for the game, but it’s not something I put too much time and energy into because it’s the chase for another flag that I’m more interested in, and not so much the individual success.”

Originally published as Geelong star Jeremy Cameron on potential 100-goal milestone, YouTube content and his zoo stay before five-goal haul