THE SILVER lining of Greater Western Sydney's 129-point loss to North Melbourne has come in a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for Jeremy Cameron.
Cameron has become the Giants' first NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for his four-goal haul in Sunday's loss at Blundstone Arena.
While some have questioned the ability of the youthful Giants to be competitive in their first season at AFL level, Cameron has taken to senior football with poise beyond his years.
His strong marking and knack for kicking a goal were highlights throughout the NAB Cup and his form has continued through the first two games of the home and away season.
Cameron is in his second year at GWS after he was a 17-year-old access selection in 2011.
Originally from Dartmoor in south-west Victoria, Cameron has already established himself as a key forward at GWS.
At any other club he may have to wait years to become a focal point, but with injuries to Setanta O'hAilpin and Jonathon Patton and the steep learning curve for Israel Folau, Cameron entered his debut season as his team's safest tall forward option.
Cameron admitted he has had more opportunities so far than most forwards his age.
"It could have been tough. There are a lot of forwards at the Giants so it was good. I played forward most of my career to date and really grew up in that forward line structure," he told AFL.com.au.
"I was happy to play up forward and I'm happy to play any position as long as I play my role in the team."
While most AFL debutants have come straight from playing under-age football, Camerona had the advantage of spending last season with the club in the NEAFL competition.
"I think it would have been a little bit of an advantage mainly because I got to meet all the younger players the year before," he said.
"The NEAFL competition was the first time a lot of us played against men. It has been really good to have the coaching staff we had last year and I guess it made it a little bit easier."
The move from rural Dartmoor to Australia's biggest city could have taken some adjustment, but Cameron said he took time to incorporate his hobbies from his Victorian country home to his new life as a Sydney-based AFL player.
"When I was back home I did a lot of fishing with friends. We do that up here, living on the Parramatta River we do a bit of fishing on our day off," he said.
"I love to get down there and sometimes order a charter through (GWS football and welfare manager) Craig Lambert. We play golf and also go to the movies a bit. There's a lot to do up in Sydney, going to the beach is a big hobby for the boys as well."
Luke Holmesby is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_Luke
Jeremy Cameron is a $104,200 forward in the Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here
