Darcy Cameron

[bloodspirit]

Time will tell but I think our recruiters did very well drafting Cameron with our fourth pick. If we had waited until the rookie draft he would have been gone and so would another half a dozen rucks and we would have been left with the dregs. And considering we lost 3 rucks and he is the only replacement, we needed a good one. Also, means we can play him without someone being injured long term. Given that he is a mature body, I think he could and would play seniors if circumstances required it (hey, we played Tom Derickx a number of times!) Finally, we are a bit light on for KPFs and he could fill this role at a pinch, in the NEAFL if not the seniors. Will be interesting to see him and Pinky up front.

ugg, any chance you (or someone else with this capability) could dig out his WAFL stats from last season compared to this season? I heard he played much more as a forward this season and am interested to see what his hit-out and other stats were when he was playing in the ruck.

I hope Taubo can improve him even further.

Go well, Darcy!

[aardvark]

WAFL - West Australian Football League

Stats here...

[ugg]

Darcy CAMERON (Claremont)
2016 WAFL
Totals

• 18 games
• 32 goals
• 13 behinds
• 7 times in the best players list

Averages

• 8.0 kicks
• 3.5 handballs
• 11.5 disposals
• 5.5 marks
• 2.1 tackles
• 12.8 hitouts
• 1.1 inside 50s
• 0.2 rebound 50s
• 1.1 frees for
• 0.7 frees against
• 79.00 DT points

Darcy CAMERON (Claremont)
2015 WAFL
Totals

• 11 games
• 11 goals
• 7 behinds
• 1 time in best players list

Averages

• 5.5 kicks
• 3.9 handballs
• 9.4 disposals
• 4.3 marks
• 1.7 tackles
• 17.3 hitouts
• 1.1 inside 50s
• 0.3 rebound 50s
• 1.3 frees for
• 0.7 frees against
• 66.91 DT points

[bloodspirit]

Thanks ugg! Looks like (a) there is a reflection of his different role in 2016; and (b) he has simply improved as a player as he has developed.

Interesting to see that he had one game with 61 HO, next best 32 HO (once each in 2015 and 2016) and then it drops down to 23 HO and keeps dropping. Kind of uneven, isn't it? If you leave out the one game with 61 HO his average HO in 2015 is same as 2016. Anyway, definitely seems worth a go as our 4th ruck. His physical (and mental) maturity, and the hunger which he should have after having been overlooked so many times, should stand him and us in good stead.

[goswannies]

I've got a friend who's are Claremont supports & watches them a lot. He thinks we did well picking up Cameron. For what that's worth.

[mcs]

I've got a friend who's are Claremont supports & watches them a lot. He thinks we did well picking up Cameron. For what that's worth.

I think he is a more than decent pick up for us - and at least provides us depth that is close to AFL level if needed to be called upon. Plenty of people seemed to think we should just rookie list someone and develop them. But we only have Tippo, Sinclair and Naismith as senior ruckmen - and all three have had periods of being injury prone. So to me it was a clever choice, and arguably he could prove good enough to push hard to be more than just a backup, especially once our ruck whisperer gets a chance to get in his ear for a while

[rojo]

There was a great article in the Herald Sun, yesterday I think. I don't know how to create a link.

[I]At Claremont in the WAFL this season, Cameron kicked 36 goals at an accuracy of seventy two per cent, with 32 of those goals coming from set shots. He also made an impact in the air, with his 43 contested marks the equal most in the competition. Playing on West Coast?s Tom Barrass and Fremantle?s Sam Collins ? and beating them ? has only catalysed Cameron?s belief he can translate this form on the big stage.

?I was able to play forward and I was able to play on some AFL listed players during the season,? he says. ?I was able to kick goals on them and have an impact and believe that I can do that in the AFL as well.? That a player like Naismith was able to come in and cement a position in a grand final side this season only reaffirms this belief. ?I want to be able to do the exact same thing,? Cameron says.

?Obviously the club is going to help me build on my game, make me stronger, fitter, a better footballer. That?s what they?re here to do, to make me the best footballer I can be so I?m excited.

I like his attitude. No starry eyed teenager just thrilled to be selected. Reminds me of the stated aims of AJ and Colin O'Riordan when they arrived. As we know Naismith had a few rookie years prior to 2016 so Darcy may have to wait a bit for his AFL debut!

[bloodspirit]

Looks like Darcy's tracking well in his first pre-season: Sydney's changing skyline - sydneyswans.com.au.

[dimelb]

He sounds VERY pleased to be with the Swans. I look forward to seeing him in action.

[S.S. Bleeder]

I found Gary Buckenara's assessment on Cameron to be EXTREMELY optimistic:
No Cookies | Herald Sun

[crackedactor]

That's a big call from Buckenara!! Maybe No 1 ruckman!! Anyhow if he can out mark Tom Barass of West coast(whom I rate highly) then he must have something special.

[707]

Got a good feeling about all our picks this year, both in the ND and the RD. More than usual, this year they all seem to have something really positive going for them.

I think Darcy Cameron is one of those players who will really bloom in an AFL environment, particularly under the expert tutelage of the Ruck Whisperer. I think the assessment that our ruck stocks are in a better place for 2017 than 2016 is a correct call.

[dimelb]

Got a good feeling about all our picks this year, both in the ND and the RD. More than usual, this year they all seem to have something really positive going for them.

I think Darcy Cameron is one of those players who will really bloom in an AFL environment, particularly under the expert tutelage of the Ruck Whisperer. I think the assessment that our ruck stocks are in a better place for 2017 than 2016 is a correct call.

I have the same feeling on both counts, the recruits in general and Mr Darcy in particular.