Lions livewire Charlie Cameron admits his form has been a “mixed bag” this year, but his frustrations have been tempered by his role in helping Brisbane’s emerging crop of forwards shine in the AFL.
Cameron’s goal tally of 30 in 19 appearances this season has left him feeling unsatisfied on a personal level.
However, in a season of enforced transition at the Lions due to season-ending knee injuries suffered by a host of players, including fellow forward Linc McCarthy, 30-year-old Cameron is embracing a “different role” as he takes the likes of young attacking weapons Kai Lohmann, Logan Morris and Henry Smith under his wing.
“At times it’s hard as a small forward because you just want to go get the ball and kick goals,” he said.
“In the past, a couple of years ago, I would have got frustrated but I’m just trying to find a way to keep myself engaged in the game, talking to and helping blokes set up, bringing my pressure and celebrating the little things.
“For me, it’s been a mixed bag this year, a bit up and down, but I’m trying to play a different role this year.
“With Linc going down, it has put a bit more onus on the young blokes coming through, and as long as I’m playing my role for the team trying to bring pressure and helping those young blokes, it’s a good thing.”
With the resurgent Lions chasing a ninth successive win on Sunday at Marvel Stadium against St Kilda, Cameron is hopeful his patience and dedication will be rewarded at the business end of the season.
“I’ve just got to keep persisting, and when the big moments come up, hopefully at the end of the year, I’m there at the right time proving a point,” he said.
“I’ll get my chances. I’ve just got to stick with what I’m doing and trust the process during the week and leading up to the games.”
Regardless of whether the Lions go one better this season by winning the premiership, Cameron said the future was bright for the club with the experience gained this year by emerging talents such as Lohmann, Morris, Smith, Shadeau Brain and Bruce Reville.
“It shows where the club’s at,” he said.
“At VFL level, all the players there are playing their role, and when they’ve got their chance in the AFL, they’ve executed their roles, which is good because it’s putting pressure on the players in the AFL, really challenging us to keep on our toes and keep our spot.”
In further good news for the Lions, co-captain Harris Andrews is set to be available for selection this weekend after missing last Saturday’s 28-point win over Gold Coast after entering concussion protocols.
Collingwood to defend fresh racism claims in court
Collingwood will defend themselves against serious allegations of racism filed in court, insisting the club has acted lawfully.
The AFL has been urged to strip the Magpies of premiership points should explosive claims be proven.
The club, including chief executive Craig Kelly, are facing damning allegations filed on Monday in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Mark Cleaver, Collingwood’s former head of First Nations strategy, is the sole applicant in the documents, while the Magpies are the only respondent.
Collingwood said they were committed to a “welcoming, safe and inclusive” workplace.
Cleaver first raised the matter in March, with the club then looking into the concerns.
“In addition to the internal process which took place, an external expert was engaged to review the findings. Both processes found no breach of workplace law,” the Pies’ statement read.
“Following the conclusion of both processes, the former staff member made further allegations to Victoria Police, which examined them and determined not to take any further action.
“The former staff member was employed by Collingwood for a period of six months.
“The employment ended for reasons unrelated to their concerns.
“Following their departure, the former staff member lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission but the matter was not resolved.
“While it is unfortunate this situation has not been resolved, the club believes that it has acted lawfully and intends to defend the matter.”
Cleaver’s legal representative said the allegations called into question whether Collingwood had “learned anything from its multiple self-inflicted racism scandals.
“We are entitled to expect more from a club that has promised to do better,” Daniel Victory, principal with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, said in a statement to AAP.
“The conduct alleged in this case has no place in society or any sporting club and especially not in a league that holds itself out as an agent for social change.
“Football fans have a right to feel let down once again by the Collingwood Football Club.
“The AFL should consider penalising premiership points from clubs if allegations like this are proven.”
AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said the league’s integrity unit was aware of a human resources workplace complaint by a Collingwood employee.
“The matter was deemed a workplace issue for the club and was triaged to the club’s HR department to manage accordingly,” Allen told AAP.
In 2021, the Magpies commissioned an independent review to deal with racism.
Former president Eddie McGuire labelled the release of the ‘Do Better’ report “a historic and proud day”.
A week after his highly criticised comments, McGuire stood down following more than 20 years in charge.
Collingwood premiership player Heritier Lumumba was in dispute with his former club for years over racism issues, consistently voicing his disapproval of management at the Magpies.
Lumumba first raised the alarm on concerns of racism at the club in 2013, with his claims the catalyst for the investigation and subsequent ‘Do Better’ report.
