Great Southern big man Darcy Cameron primed for big preliminary final showing in bid to reach AFL grand final

Albany star and Collingwood ruckman Darcy Cameron is savouring a chance to reach his first-ever AFL grand final ahead of their blockbuster preliminary final clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Friday. It has been a long, and at times, arduous road for the North Albany junior who was drafted by Sydney with the 48th pick of the national draft in 2016. Cameron pulled on the boots for his AFL debut in round 18, 2018, a home loss to Gold Coast, and that would be his only senior game at Sydney before he was traded to Collingwood at the end of 2019. The 28-year-old has played 69 games since the move and was part of the Magpies side that were defeated by the Swans in a heartbreaking one-point preliminary final loss last year. “I just want to be grateful for where I am and take every day as it comes because there were some long days there in Sydney where I was playing good footy in the twos and not getting opportunity,” he said. “I was wondering whether I’d play AFL or how many games I would actually play. “I’m very happy for where I’m at now in a really good environment, playing at a huge club in finals is everything I could have asked for.” The Magpies claimed the 2023 minor premiership and were seven-point winners against Melbourne in the first qualifying final a fortnight ago to advance directly into the preliminary final. Cameron said he was expecting a stiff challenge from a red-hot GWS outfit that are coming fresh off a 23-point away win against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. “We saw in their game against Port (Adelaide) and St Kilda the week before, the crowd doesn’t really affect them,” he said. “I think they’re really owning that mentality of anywhere and any place, they won’t be worried about 90 percent of the support base being Magpies fans. “I think they’ll relish in that and we’ll have to bring our best. “It’s been good to freshen up the body as we get back to work, we’re treating it like it’s any other week. “You want to get some running in the legs after the bye and now it’s time to get back to work on Friday.” The Great Southern-raised big man came through the ranks with the Kangas and played 40 league games for Claremont in the WAFL before he got his AFL chance. “They are probably some of my fondest memories down in Albany in the cold,” Cameron said. “I remember Dad giving me tips of where to position myself, playing colts games and having plenty of fun. “I got a lot of confidence from what I could do in the ruck there, and 10 years later on the big stage, I find I’m still doing similar things to what I was doing all those years ago. “I love the supportive messages from people down in Albany, Regan Lloyd is a die-hard supporter of the mighty Magpies. “I got a message from him last week and he was getting up and about. Cameron and ruck partner Mason Cox will have plenty on their plate against emerging Giants big man Kieran Briggs on Friday. After nine games played across his five seasons, Briggs has become a mainstay for the Giants, featuring in 16 games since his appearance against St Kilda in round 10 earlier this season. “I kept a close eye on his patterns on the weekend and I’ve been watching him all throughout the year, he’s had a really good season and he’s in great form,” Cameron said. Briggs was substituted out late with a shoulder injury against the Power but is expected to be fit for the preliminary final. ‘I’m expecting his (Briggs) best, I’m sure he’ll be fine with his shoulder,” Cameron said. “I’ll go through some things with Coxy (Mason Cox) throughout the week about what is going to best prepare us to win that battle. “They (GWS) were really good inside, their contest numbers and clearance numbers were really quite significant and we have to ready for that. “We just try to get to work throughout the week to prepare ourselves for what’s to come and then on the field we try and pump each other up to get confidence from each other. “When we’re both going well it really helps the team and he (Cox) brings a huge energy to the crowd as well, we try and bounce of each other and get that combo going to the best of our ability.” The two sides will square off at 5.50pm on Friday. On Saturday fellow North Albany product Mitch McGovern will also play in a preliminary final, as Carlton take on Brisbane at the Gabba.