His raised arms and primal scream as he secured the AFL’s Coleman Medal spoke volumes about what the honour meant to GWS forward Jeremy Cameron.
In a remarkable display, Cameron slotted a career-best nine goals – including five in the third quarter – as the Giants defeated last-placed Gold Coast by 72-points on Saturday.
When Cameron kicked his seventh of the night after the three-quarter time siren off his trusty left foot he knew he would move ahead of North Melbourne’s Ben Brown (64 goals).
Two more goals in the final term lifted him to a regular season tally of 67 goals, but while thrilled to become the first Giant to win the medal, Cameron said securing a premiership remains his overall goal at the club.
“It’s an individual award and why I play footy is to win a flag,” the 26-year-old said.
“We haven’t won one yet so I want to play my best footy for my side and that’s what I’m going to be doing come finals.”
The Giants’ big win secured sixth place and a home elimination final against either Essendon or the Western Bulldogs.
Giants coach Leon Cameron was delighted for his big forward’s achievement but said the bigger picture was getting some much-needed form before finals after back-to-back beltings in the past two weeks.
“It’s good to get a confidence-boosting win but equally it means nothing now,” the GWS mentor said.
“A new season’s on and whoever we happen to play in two weeks’ time, we’ve earned the right to host the final because we’ve finished sixth and looking forward to resting for two days and then we’ll put our squad together ready to roll.”