AFTER booting four goals from as many kicks in the Western Derby blowout, Jarrod Cameron could be forgiven for thinking the AFL caper was easy.
But the exciting West Coast small forward is keeping his feet on the ground after playing an important part in the Eagles' record-matching ninth-straight triumph over their crosstown rivals in just his third appearance.
"It's pretty enjoyable, but I've just got to be humble and try not to go over the top and think about everything, but just play my role," Cameron told AFL.com.au.
Jarrod Cameron gets his kick away despite an untied shoe lace and Connor Blakely heat. Picture: AFL Photos
"What got me those goals was just playing my role, being in the contest and everything else just came into play.
"It's pretty exciting, getting the win. It was a tough, hard game all day with the weather, but what we did best was in the contest."
Cameron was a gamebreaker in the second term on Saturday night, drilling three majors, including his first in the opening moments after a superb one-handed pick up and dish by Nic Naitanui.
Nic Nat!
— AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2019
The sublime pick-up sets up Jarrod Cameron.#AFLFreoEagles pic.twitter.com/rfeGqbPkNL
He then converted from a sling tackle free kick a minute later, before nailing his third after Ethan Hughes was pinged for stepping over the boundary deliberately.
Cameron turned to the large pro-Dockers crowd in celebration after snapping truly, something he has become renowned for since his junior career.
"Someone said I was a bit lost out there, so I just had to give it to them, so I'll just be humble now," Cameron said with a wry smile.
"I don't mind celebrating, but I'll just bring it back."
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said the team's leaders would likely have a quiet word to Cameron, but loved what the 19-year-old has brought to the side.
"He's a confident kid. He's got to work on his celebrations I think after his goals – I did notice that just before," Simpson said post-match.
"He is in the side to help provide a bit of pressure. He's probably come in a bit earlier than we anticipated, but he's bringing pressure and he's finishing off his work.
Mid-interview yoga. #AFLFreoEagles pic.twitter.com/qio7Qr0CZ5
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 6, 2019
"Early days yet, keep a lid on it, he's going well."
Cameron, whose older brother Charlie has been lighting up Brisbane's attack, came into the Eagles side when Willie Rioli was suspended against Essendon and performed well enough to hold his spot in an improving Eagles outfit.
The Next Generation Academy product booted two goals and laid seven tackles on debut, found the going tougher against Hawthorn in the wet at the MCG, but capitalised with West Coast's other fleet-footed smalls against Fremantle.
In Josh Kennedy's absence, hard-working Jamie Cripps also nailed four goals, Willie Rioli soccered through a beauty and Liam Ryan played a hand setting up the victory with some unselfish work as West Coast moved to outright second on the ladder.
Jack Darling also added another four majors to his five-goal bag against the Hawks – and sits fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 36 goals.
Four goal club... pic.twitter.com/xcDPUOzONO
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 7, 2019
"It is pretty dangerous (the forward line). If we're all playing our role, then everyone else is up and about," Cameron said.
"(Charlie) gives me a few tips here and there. He messaged me (before the game), just a quick chat about footy, and he says just 'go out and play your role and everything will flow from that.
"He just says play to your one wood, which is pressure and tackling."