Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron to use his speed to get better of his rivals this season

Star Brisbane Lions forward Charlie Cameron plans to ‘get up the ground’ this season.

Charlie Cameron will make his opponents work hard this season. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Livewire Brisbane Lions forward Charlie Cameron intends run his opponents ragged this season.

Cameron said he had “changed his mindset” ahead of the Lions’ opening clash of their 2022 AFL campaign on Saturday night at the Gabba against Port Adelaide.

While he still plans on kicking goals, Cameron wants to spend more time outside the forward 50-metre zone.

He made those intentions clear in Brisbane’s pre-season wins over Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.

“Over the last two games I’ve tried to get up the ground, use my leg speed and try to beat my opponents back,” Cameron said.

“If I get a good defender, get them up (the ground), and then make the most of my opportunities deep when I get them.”

Charlie Cameron is ready to turn on the pace this season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Cameron isn’t bothered who Port Adelaide put on him on Saturday night.

“Whoever I get I’ll try and make the most of my opportunities,” he said.

“It’ll depend on the match-up. I’m expecting (Ryan) Burton this weekend but a couple of times I’ve had (Tom) Jonas.”

Cameron also removed any doubts over the availability of Lions skipper Dayne Zorko, who missed the trials against the Crows and the Bulldogs after having minor surgery to collect an Achilles problem.

“We’ve got Cam Rayner coming back, which is exciting, We’ve got ‘Zorks’ coming back into the team, so I think we’re ready to go,” Cameron said.

“He (Zorko) trained well (on Thursday), he’s our skipper, so why wouldn’t he play?”

Zorko was later named in Brisbane’s 22 as was Rayner, who missed all of last season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the 2021 pre-season.

Off-season recruit and former Geelong ruckman Darcy Fort has been named on the interchange bench that also includes Jarrod Berry, Nakia Cockatoo and Noah Answerth, who is returning from a long-term groin injury

“He’s a tough little player. We’re excited to have him back,” Cameron said of defender Answerth.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron to use his speed to get better of his rivals this season