ADAM Tomlinson's relationship with Leon Cameron has been tested on plenty of occasions, but the bond between player and coach is a major factor in the defender's continued commitment to Greater Western Sydney.
If you'd listened to the rumours that swirl around trade time just about annually, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Tomlinson wants out of the Giants, despite the fact that the versatile big man has never come out of contract and has in fact re-signed with GWS three times.
The 24-year-old has openly talked about his homesickness in the early years after being taken as an original Giant with pick No.9 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
When he was dominating the NEAFL but not getting a look in during the first half of 2016, there's little doubt thoughts of returning home to Melbourne would have entered his mind.
But Tomlinson will reach the 100-game milestone in GWS colours against North Melbourne this week, and the club probably has Cameron to thank for keeping him in Sydney.
"Despite the fact that every year it's written and talked about in the media that I'm leaving, I'm rapt to be playing for this footy club," Tomlinson said.
"I never thought I was down and out and I was always enjoying my football even if I was in the reserves, so I never thought I was done.
"Leon and I have had a lot of honest conversations and he's always told me, 'I'm not letting you go because I love having you in the side'.
"For me, I get a lot of confidence out of that because he wants me here and wants me to play for him.
"It's because of Leon that I'm still here."
Cameron's commitment to his man was on show in round eight when West Coast forward Jack Darling had his way with Tomlinson in the first half of last week's loss at Spotless Stadium.
Most coaches – and probably Cameron himself – might have been tempted to make a change after the four-goal mauling, but Tomlinson was left to make amends, and did so by keeping the Eagle goalless in the second half.
"I knew I was going to cop a bit at half-time, but I was grateful that he did stick with me," Tomlinson said.
"I didn't want my whole game to go downhill and I knew I had the ability to restrict him and play better footy.
"It was disappointing that for a 15-minute period in that second quarter he got hold of me and it fell apart.
"Again, that shows the faith Leon has in me and that’s what I love about him."
The Giants coach was full of praise for the milestone man this week and said that while Tomlinson's athletic prowess and versatility are often talked about by those outside the club, his determination and selflessness often get overlooked.
"He knew Darling had gotten the better of him, but he dug his heels in and kept chipping away," Cameron said.
"That speaks volumes about Adam Tomlinson, he never gives in.
"If I ask him to play centre half-back or ruck or wing, he just puts his hand up and tells me, 'Play me wherever you need me', and those sorts of players are hard to find."
