West Coast coach Andrew McQualter admits it will take more than one man to stop Geelong megastar Jeremy Cameron, as the athletic forward looms large against West Coast on Sunday.
Cameron kicked an equal career-high nine goals in the Cats’ last meeting against the Eagles — a 93-point smashing at GMHBA Stadium in the final round of last season.
The 32-year-old booted seven goals before half-time as Geelong led by a whopping 100 points at the main break to set up the massive victory at Eagles’ notorious bogey ground.
Reuben Ginbey was given the near-impossible task of trying to stop Cameron and he may get the job again with West Coast’s All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern sidelined because of concussion.
Key defenders Sandy Brock and Harry Edwards are also options for McQualter.
Cameron was the Coleman Medal leader heading into the round with 33 goals in 11 games, having hit arguably career-best form with 13 goals in his past two matches.
McQualter said the Eagles would have a “few plans” for Cameron but conceded that stopping the forward was going to be a team effort.
“We appreciate how good of a player he is. He’s a superstar of the competition,” McQualter said.
“He can play high, played a little bit of midfield a couple of weeks ago and then obviously gets deep and plays there as well.
“We’re going to have a few plans for him clearly but like any key forward in the competition, the only actual way to stop him is pressure on the ball.
“If you’re relying on a one-on-one match-up with Jeremy Cameron, you’re going to be a bit of strife when they’ve got flow on the ball. So, we need to ensure that there’s good pressure on the ball up the field.”
West Coast’s hopes of an upset were dealt a massive blow at the start of the week when star forward Jake Waterman’s season was declared over due to a shoulder injury.
Waterman, forward-ruck Bailey Williams (managed) and Tom Gross (omitted) have come out of the side, with Jack Williams, Archer Reid and top draftee Bo Allan all named in the 23.
The loss of Waterman means McQualter doesn’t have any of the top three from last year’s John Worsfold Medal at his disposal, with McGovern and Elliot Yeo (ankle) also sidelined.
“Unfortunately, I just can’t spend too much time on it,” McQualter said when asked about their absence.
“I love our best players out there playing every week and those three guys are so important to the way we play but that’s footy, there’s always going to be injuries in our game, and we just don’t have too much time to dwell on it.
“We have got to keep helping develop the rest of our players and try to pick the best team to win each week.”
Geelong are still without skipper Patrick Dangerfield because of a hamstring injury and have rested Jed Bews, with rising star fancy Connor O’Sullivan back into the side.
