Cameron praises ‘mentor’ Hawkins as Cats face selection calls; Pies were ‘confused’ in loss to Swans

They worked well together this season, Hawkins having contributed 60 goals (including five against the Lions in round four), often as the deep forward, allowing the speedy Cameron to be a regular threat on the lead or when floating around half-forward.

“Having the great fella ‘Hawk’ beside me, he is a great mentor. I look at him as a mentor, he has been around a long time, he is always looking to get better himself and he is teaching me along the way,” Cameron said.

He and Hawkins were named in the two key attacking posts in this year’s All-Australian side, Cameron rebounding from an injury-impacted 2021 campaign when held to 39 goals in 15 games in his first year at GMHBA Stadium.

An All-Australian in 2013 and ’19, and the Coleman Medal winner in 2019, Cameron has experienced much personal success, but says it’s too early to declare this season his best.

“I said in one of my press conferences earlier this year I was disappointed with the year I had last year. I really wanted to have my best season,” Cameron said on 3AW.

“It [best season yet] is sort of hard to comment on because we are still going, we haven’t finished yet. What I will say is, learning different roles, getting up the field a little bit, moving around, having a licence, the coaches have been awesome with my development. I am getting a little bit older now but they have allowed me to change up my game a little bit, just do what I feel at any given time on the field.

“That’s something that I am really grateful for and I think, off the back of that, I am playing really good football but still finding ways to learn to be better.”

Cameron has spent more time further afield, as part of the “blank canvas” plan the Cats’ unleashed through the pre-season. His kicking skills are elite, and he has found himself in scoring chains through the midfield, leading to productive years for Hawkins and small forward Tyson Stengle (46 goals), also an All-Australian this year.

Cameron missed training on Friday with illness but will return this week.

While the Cats head into next weekend as favourites, they have selection issues to address.

Ruckman Rhys Stanley’s spot “is definitely up for discussions,” according to assistant coach Shaun Grigg, with former Hawk Jon Ceglar a chance to return.

Stanley was underwhelming in his return from an adductor injury in the win over the Magpies, prompting Mark Blicavs to ruck late in the game. Stanley, however, has enjoyed a strong season, and was the No.1 ruck at training on Friday.

Ceglar, though, impressed when he finally overcame a foot injury and played two games, the last in round 23.

What will be in Stanley’s favour is that the Cats have won 14 straight matches and will be loath to make changes outside of injuries.

Defender Jake Kolodjashnij is nursing a knee issue, having been subbed off against the Magpies, but trained last week. He will need to prove his fitness.

The Lions also have a ruck call to make, for frontline big man Oscar McInerney is due to return after time out under concussion protocols. Darcy Fort, his replacement in the win over Melbourne on Friday, played well.

They must also decide whether to challenge Jarrod Berry’s one-match ban at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night. Berry was cited for making unnecessary contact to Clayton Oliver’s face.

Lessons learnt: Crisp says Magpies were ‘confused’ in defeat to Swans

Jon Pierik

Collingwood star Jack Crisp has urged his coaches to be predictable with their positional line-ups in Saturday’s preliminary final against Sydney, conceding players were “confused” the last time the two clubs met.

The Magpies had their 11-game winning streak snapped when they managed only seven goals against the Swans in a 27-point loss at the SCG in round 22.

The visitors were without match-winner Jordan De Goey that afternoon, as he had been a late withdrawal, and they couldn’t get their chaotic, attacking game plan in gear against an opponent that has had one of the league’s stingiest defences since round 16.

Crisp, who was brilliant in the semi-final thumping of Fremantle on Saturday night with more than 600 metres gained, said the Pies had learnt much from their last meeting with the Swans.

“One of the things was, we were flicking our magnets around a bit too much, blokes were getting confused, so we lost a few different roles at times. That was one of the main things,” Crisp said.

“But Sydney’s pressure was also elite. We are going to have to combat that with our own pressure. Every time we threw something at them, they were able to combat that and go back the other way. If we get our roles right, and everyone is on the same page, we can be predictable to each other and know where the ball is going and know how to defend.”

The Magpies have much to dissect from that game. Lance Franklin booted three goals, while Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley were creative and each slotted two for the Swans. Midfielders Luke Parker and Chad Warner were among the best. Scott Pendlebury, Josh Daicos and Brayden Maynard were busy for the Magpies, on a day they had seven goalkickers deliver only one each.

The Swans had 72 more disposals, including more 30 contested possessions, and 22 more tackles. The McCartin brothers – Tom and Paddy – were strong in defence.

McRae said the Magpies were “better for the experience” of that game.

“We played them three weeks ago. Jordy [De Goey] told me he didn’t play so we’re much better for it. I think we learned some good lessons and there will be time to talk about those lessons we learnt,” he said.

The Magpies have won 14 of their past 16 matches, their only other defeat to Geelong last weekend, reaffirming their off-season belief they had the tools to surprise the football world this season, having finished 17th in a tumultuous 2021 when Nathan Buckley departed as coach.

“To be honest, and I have said this to a few people who have spoken to me, probably internally, we believed we were good enough. We still had a really good list,” Crisp said on 3AW.

“We had no chemistry or connection, unfortunately, last year. We couldn’t find a way to gel together. What ‘Fly’ [McRae] and ‘Bolts’ [Brendon Bolton] and ‘Leppa’ [Justin Leppitsch] have been able to do, and the way they have coached through the pre-season and the whole year, has been phenomenal for us, the connection that has been built out on the field.”

While the Magpies do not have a traditional forward built around a key marking tall, their small and mid-sized forwards have created havoc.

Midfielder-forward De Goey was arguably best afield against the Dockers, with 24 touches and a goal, highlighting why the Magpies now want him to re-sign and remain at the club, while Jamie Elliott was superb, booting two goals.

“His [Elliott’s] work rate is unbelievable. We saw it a number of times … if he was flying, he was drawing two blokes and we would get out the back,” Crisp said.

“If he wasn’t, he would bring the ball to ground, he would tackle, and follow up, and obviously finished off with a couple of goals. He got reward for his hard work.”

Maynard appeared slowed by a groin issue, hurt early in the game, but played out the night. He will be monitored.

Trent Bianco replaced the injured Taylor Adams at selection, and played well, having 16 disposals and earning McRae’s praise.

The Swans and Magpies last met in a final in 2012, when the Swans surged into the grand final after a 26-point win at Stadium Australia.

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