Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson’s prolific partnership has been tested by the AFL’s COVID-19 training restrictions, but the dynamic GWS duo look to be returning to their best.
Cameron, Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg booted a combined 10 goals in the Giants’ 34-point win over Hawthorn on Sunday, which came a fortnight after the entire GWS team managed just four goals in a poor loss to Western Bulldogs.
Former defender Finlayson was a revelation last year, when his shift forward also helped bring out the best in his namesake and mentor Cameron.
Finlayson and reigning Coleman medallist Cameron combined for 120 goals in 2019, a haul that no two forwards at any other club could better.
Having initially struggled when the league emerged from its coronavirus shutdown, Finlayson and Himmelberg are once again proving that GWS have some impressive forward-line depth.
“When we’re at our best, we’re all helping each other out and we don’t rely on Jeremy (Cameron) and Toby Greene. We’re all stepping up,” Finlayson said after helping GWS clamber into the top eight.
“The last two weeks we’ve just put our heads down and worked hard … we knew we had to work on a few things, we weren’t gelling together.
“It’s hard. We’re only training in smaller groups … I haven’t trained with Jez (Cameron).
“I only trained with Zac Williams for seven weeks, I didn’t see any of the other boys, and that does make it hard because you don’t have that connection.”
Contact training is currently restricted to groups of up to nine players.
Cameron and Finlayson are in separate groups, with GWS keen to ensure there is no chance their entire forward line will be sidelined because of coronavirus.
Finlayson suggested the leadership of Cameron and Greene, who celebrates his 150th game when GWS tackle Port Adelaide on the Gold Coast this Sunday, helped bring out the best in him and Himmelberg.
“It’s mainly out on the field … they give you that little trigger and it gets you going,” the 24-year-old said.
GWS coach Leon Cameron heaped praise on Finlayson.
“He burst onto the scene last year, really in his first year as a key forward. So that connection hasn’t been around for five or six years,” Cameron said.
“He’s been hitting the scoreboard most weeks, but the manner in which he did it against the Hawks was really pleasing.”