Giants secure Cameron in big deal
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Young star Jeremy Cameron knocked back a seven-year offer from Adelaide to stay with Greater Western Sydney in the AFL.
Cameron agreed to a monster five-year deal with the Giants, understood to be worth around $4 million.
But the Crows apparently were willing to offer even more to tempt Cameron away from GWS.
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There was also plenty of interest from Victorian clubs in the 21-year-old, who is from the country town of Dartmoor, and his re-signing is a major coup for the Giants.
It will now have a domino effect at the expansion club, with several team-mates expected to also re-commit.
GWS will confirm Cameron’s new deal at a media conference on Friday, where they will announce at least one other player re-signing and a new major co-sponsor of the club.
Cameron is the game’s top young key forward and the new deal means he will be with the Giants at least until 2020.
New Giants recruit Ryan Griffen is set to help the growth of the young team. Photo: Getty
Two years ago, he was the first Giant to make the All-Australian team and also won the club best and fairest award.
He has led their goalkicking in all three seasons since they joined the AFL, kicking 120 goals over 51 matches.
Cameron only managed 14 games last year because of repeated ankle injuries, but he still managed 29 goals.
Tom Boyd’s stunning move to the Western Bulldogs means Cameron will potentially have to shoulder more of the goalkicking load, given Jonathon Patton will not return from a knee reconstruction until mid-season.
Cameron’s season last year ended in round 14 and he will return to the team for Saturday’s NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast at Blacktown.
Prize Giants recruits Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull will also make their debuts for the club in Saturday’s game.
Midfielder Griffen joined from Western Bulldogs and defender Patfull from Brisbane.
“It’s terrific to have Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull ready to play their first games for the Giants and they’ll add further experience to our young team,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
Defender Phil Davis, who signed a contract extension earlier this week, and fellow co-captain Callan Ward, were named in the squad.
Another prominent player named is 2013 All-Australian forward Jeremy Cameron, who ended last year on the injury list.
-AAP