Strong support for hometown hero Darcy Cameron after 2023 AFL premiership cup makes stop in Albany

Darcy Cameron was proud to bring the 2023 AFL premiership cup back home to Albany on Friday. The Collingwood ruckman shared a special moment with family, friends and fans from the broader community at his junior club North Albany. The 28-year-old has spent time holidaying overseas with his partner Adriana Guevara but returned home to WA as the Magpies brought the cup to Albany as part of their national tour. Speaking on that famous grand final win, Cameron said it was humbling to return to Collingwood Park as an AFL premiership player. “I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of my partner, my family behind me, North Albany. “There are so many people and I’m never going to be able to find the words to thank the people that have got me to the place I have.” Cameron said the joy he’d experienced since winning the premiership had provided added motivation to train hard during the preseason to give the club the best opportunity to win another flag. “That feeling we’ve had, I just want it again,” Cameron said. “That week went so fast. I need to have that experience again. I think everyone will come back equally as motivated.” The Magpies have organised a national tour for the premiership cup and Cameron was quick to put the North Albany Football Club on the schedule. It arrived, although a little later than scheduled, in time for hundreds to grab pictures with the hometown hero before he spoke at a sportsman’s night. “I asked the question pretty quickly after we did win it,” he said. “I really wanted to bring it back and show it off to friends and family that I grew up with. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be possible. “I thought they’d just take it to the major cities of WA and South Australia. I’m glad I asked the question early because I think it made it achievable. “It means a lot to be able to come here and present the cup to people that mean the most to me.” Parents Gerard and Vanessa, brother Luke and sister Megan were all on hand as Darcy lifted the cup on home soil while plenty of former teammates and people from the Great Southern football community turned out. Cameron won a colts premiership for North Albany in 2011, then joined Claremont in the WAFL before getting drafted by Sydney and then traded to Collingwood.