Cats coach praise for star forward

GEELONG coach Chris Scott admits Jeremy Cameron took a little longer than expected to adapt to his system.

Cameron, a high-profile recruit from GWS at the end of 2020, was troubled by hamstring problems in his first season at his new club.

Despite his injury concerns, Cameron registered 39 goals in 15 games for the Cats in 2021.

Sportsday co-host Sam McClure asked Scott, “How have you felt about how quickly he has fitted into your system and how dynamic that forward line now looks?”

“It hasn’t been quite as quick as we would’ve liked,” Scott replied.

“He was fantastic for us in a truncated pre-season when he first came in, but then got injured right on the eve of the season and he did three hamstrings last year.

“We’ve been extra cautious making sure that physically he’s OK.”

The ex-Giant has already equalled his season tally from last year and is firing alongside partner in crime Tom Hawkins.

Scott thinks the Cameron-Hawkins forward combination will only get better.

“Even this year we haven’t quite achieved what we set out to with the cohesion in our forward half with [Gary] Rohan, Hawkins and Cameron all playing together,” Scott said.

“We’re big believers that cohesion in the forward half is really important.

“We’re still optimistic that the best is in front of us in terms of that combination.”

Scott said star forward Cameron is a “remarkable talent” who continues to amaze him.

“The whole Geelong environment really suits him. He’s been fantastic for us,” he said.

“I say this in all seriousness, some of the brilliant things he’s done on the field aren’t as good as some of the things he does at training, even in the warm-up.

“He’s just a remarkable talent.

“He’s a better player than I thought he was, and I couldn’t have held him in much higher regard.”

– BY ALEX ZAIA/ SEN