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In today’s AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news:
- Geelong’s Mark Blicavs says Jeremy Cameron’s teammates will be trying to get the ball into the star goalkicker’s hands when they take on Fremantle.
- Scans have confirmed the worst for Callum Mills after the Swans captain suffered a knee injury in the win over the Brisbane Lions.
Geelong’s warning to Dockers ahead of semi-final
Peter Ryan
Geelong’s Mark Blicavs says Jeremy Cameron’s teammates will be trying to get the ball into the star goalkicker’s hands when they take on Fremantle in a cutthroat semi-final at Optus Stadium on Friday night.
Cameron has been experiencing a rare patch of lean form as he battles injury and unfamiliar roles to contribute effectively for his team.
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Against the Blues, he played on the wing but managed just nine disposals as the Cats had 37 scoring shots to win easily.
He has not kicked a goal since round 15, his run of four consecutive goalless games the longest stretch of goal-free matches in his brilliant career.
Cameron has been prepared to play different roles as the Cats’ forward line has functioned well in his absence. Jay Polkinghorne has teamed up with Shannon Neale, Patrick Dangerfield and their fleet of small forwards to kick more than 100 points in six of their past seven matches.
Blicavs said his premiership teammate was working hard to adapt to the unfamiliar assignments and his teammates needed to be prepared to support him.
“That’s something ‘Jerry’ can work on – how he’s going to find the ball and those positions with the coaches, where he’s going to start and what plan A, B, and C looks like for this week,” Blicavs said.
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“If I take a mark and Jerry runs past I’m going to handball to him and give him the ball.
“He’s one of our most damaging ball users with his kick, not only for goal but field kicking as well, so we are very keen to get the ball in his hands as much as he can this week that’s for sure.”
The after effects of the broken arm he suffered in last year’s grand final has hampered his performance all season and those battles were compounded when he suffered a shoulder injury against the Giants in round 18.
He returned for the final round against Richmond, playing on the wing and behind the ball and continued in his “roaming Jeremy” role in the elimination final.
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Blicavs sent a warning to the Dockers when he said “you can’t keep a good man down”, explaining that his premiership teammate’s flexibility would keep Fremantle guessing about his role ahead of the match.
“I think Jerry can play any position he wants. He is a gun,” Blicavs said.
“[The] wing is a bit new to him, [and he] played a bit back as well.
“He’s been awesome out on the field at training with his attitude with his will to get better. You can’t keep a good man down. He will be right to go.”
Scans confirm the worst for Swans
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Scans have confirmed that Swans captain Callum Mills has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The club announced the diagnosis on Monday after Mills went down during Sydney’s stunning 53-point victory over the Brisbane Lions in their qualifying final at the SCG on Saturday.
It’s another major injury for the luckless 29-year-old, who missed the Swans’ 2024 grand final loss and has dealt with numerous untimely injuries across his 197-game career.
“Mills will be reviewed by a knee specialist in the coming days to determine the optimal timing of surgery,” the club said.
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“Early rehabilitation is already under way as he progresses through the initial phase of recovery.”
It’s a heavy blow for the Swans, who are already without five of their players – Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice – as they serve club-imposed bans for breaching behavioural standards after their round 23 win over Essendon in Melbourne.
Mills has earned significant praise for leading the club amid the dramatic fallout from those events at the Pullman Hotel last month.
“He [Mills] is an amazing captain,” teammate Tom Papley told the Nine Network on Sunday.
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“[He’s] been amazing over the last few weeks.
“He puts this club on his back and wears his heart on his sleeve. It’s just shattering for him.
“I’d love nothing more than to win a premiership and have him by my side, albeit he might not be there [playing].
“He deserves it more than anyone.”
AAP
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Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age.Connect via X or email.AdvertisementAdvertisement