Attitude to compete helps Albany big man Darcy Cameron earn Magpies debut in tonight’s blockbuster against Richmond

After two years in the AFL wilderness, Albany big man Darcy Cameron is ready to seize his opportunity in Collingwood colours against reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG tonight. Cameron was drafted by Sydney in 2016 and his three seasons with the Swans managed just one AFL game back in July 2018. Almost two years on, the North Albany product will get another chance at the top level, having impressed since he was traded to the Magpies at the end of last season. Regularly pitted against All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy at training or match simulation at his new club, Cameron has continued his development as a tall forward and ruck option. On Monday the 24-year-old received a call from Magpies coach Nathan Buckley to say he would be running out on the MCG when the AFL premiership season resumed tonight. “I found out at midday (Monday) when Bucks gave me a call in the car,” Cameron told the Advertiser. “I thought it might have been a call I’ve had too many times before saying you are close, but not this week. “Bucks said ‘all the work you’ve done has got you a game and you deserve it’, which was really nice to hear.” The 204cm Cameron first got his opportunity at AFL level after a strong WAFL season with Claremont in 2016, but this time it is his training that has done the talking. Magpies tall Mason Cox has struggled with injury and training continuity during the COVID-19 suspension period, paving the way for Cameron to force his way into the round two team. “In intra-club games I’ve really tried to take my opportunity there instead of on weekends,” he said. “The competitiveness I’ve had against Brodie has been a big factor. We’ve helped each other, and his around-the-ground stoppages where he is so strong has been a real test for me. “We were talking (on Tuesday) that we are finally not going against each other and will be in the same team and he had some good words to say, which means a lot because he’s obviously a great player and someone I respect highly.” Cameron said it was an exciting challenge to be facing the Tigers. “It has been almost two years, I think — hopefully this goes a little better,” Cameron said. “My first game I played about 40 minutes and we lost to Gold Coast. “I’d love to go better and get a win for the team. I’ll be pretty proud running out there, obviously to pull on this jumper and against the reigning premiers of last year is a huge thing. “I’m a bit used to playing in front of no crowds, and it would be nice to have my girlfriend Adriana and my family there.” Cameron was expecting to play largely as a tall forward target and spend only “a couple of minutes” in the ruck given the reduced quarter-length of 16 minutes. His older brother Luke played with Claremont and his father Gerard played reserves with Claremont and then league at South Fremantle and twice won the Kleemann Medal as the fairest and best player in the Great Southern Football League.