PIES SWOOP ON DARCY

Young ruckman Darcy Cameron appears set to find a new home over the next week and a half -during the AFL trade period, with the North Albany junior eager to departleave the Sydney Swans after three years on their list to seek more -opportunity.

The trade period begin officially began yesterday and runs until Wednesday week, with most predicting the uncontracted Cameron will find his way to a new club. Collingwood are in the box seat to land the 24-year-old. The Magpies are looking to secure ruck support for All-Australian and best and fairest winner Brodie Grundy.

Grundy becomes a free agent at the end of 2020 and will demand a big deal to stay with Collingwood.

Cameron was drafted by the Swans in the 2016 national draft but has only played one senior game, that coming in 2018 on the back of a stellar NEAFL -season. He was runner-up in the NEAFL most valuable player award in 2018 and was named in the NEAFL team of the year.

An early knee injury and then a later quad injury limited Cameron’s 2019 season but he still managed 11 games, averaging 22 hit-outs and nearly 17 disposals per game.

Cameron worked his way back into the Swans reserves team for the final three games of the year but was not able to add to his debut AFL appearance. The 205cm versatile tall is seeking more opportunities at senior level and is now out of -contract, all things pointing to him being on the move over the trade period.

Managed by Colin Young, it was reported last week Cameron had requested a trade to the Pies.

As of yesterday, the Swans were yet to confirm that request but they have ruck depth with experienced pair Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith on their list, along with Hayden McLean and Michael Knoll. In his breakthrough 2018 year, Cameron averaged 20 disposals and 38 hit-outs per game and kicked 26 goals.

Clubs will be looking at his -ability to hit the scoreboard while being an option as a second ruck and tall forward.

Cameron could fill a role -played by American Mason Cox or -veteran Ben Reid at the Magpies, if a trade can be done to secure him from the Swans.