BRISBANE'S meteoric rise from wooden-spooner to premiership contender within 24 months has taken All Australian forward Charlie Cameron by surprise.
NINE NEW FACES Cameron one of host of AA debutants
Cameron was fresh from playing in the 2017 Grand Final for Adelaide when he transformed from a Crow into a Lion in that year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
At that stage, Brisbane was officially the competition's worst side, having won just five games, but Cameron craved being closer to family.
Charlie Cameron has had plenty to celebrate in his second year as a Lion. Picture: AFL Photos
Another five wins followed in Cameron's first season at the Gabba in 2018, meaning there was little thought of Brisbane qualifying for finals in second spot just 12 months later.
"I didn't think we'd be here as a finals side after winning the wooden spoon two years ago," Cameron told AFL.com.au.
"To be playing off in a final against Richmond only two years later is really exciting and I'm enjoying the ride."
The Tigers delivered Brisbane somewhat of a reality check in the final round, ensuring Chris Fagan's men wouldn't win the minor premiership.
Cameron himself kicked two goals among a meagre seven possessions opposed to fellow All Australian Dylan Grimes, who he is likely to again have for company in next week's qualifying final.
Cameron's teammate Mitch Robinson has already backed the 25-year-old to exact revenge in September.
I didn't think we'd be here as a finals side after winning the wooden spoon two years ago - Charlie Cameron
This time the venue is the Gabba rather than the MCG, but Richmond is still favoured to repeat the dose.
"Only 'Hodgey' (Luke Hodge), myself, 'Richy' (Daniel Rich), Jarryd Lyons and Allen Christensen have played finals, so we're a young group," Cameron said, as his explanation for the Lions being the underdogs against the 2017 premiers.
"But we've matched it with the best this year and hopefully we can match it with Richmond next week.
"That first quarter really cost us last week (six goals to two), because after that we were able to match them, so we need to get a better start."
Cameron's impressive 54-goal campaign stacks up favourably with the game's best small forwards, with Hawk Luke Breust kicking the same number last year and Eddie Betts slotting 55 in 2017.
He had never kicked more than 29 majors in a season before, and Cameron's match-winning influence saw Fagan liken him only weeks ago to retired Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli.
Cameron is now considered the AFL's No.1 small forward and earned his first All Australian selection on Wednesday night – something he said was "an absolute honour".
Gun Brisbane defender Harris Andrews joined him in the team.
"I had more opportunities this year, played a full season and the ball's been coming down a lot cleaner than last year," Cameron said.
"I've still got a long way to go. I wanted to play consistent footy this year and I feel like I've done that, so hopefully I can keep doing that over the finals series."
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