GREATER Western Sydney star Jeremy Cameron says he won’t alter his aggressive and sometimes cavalier playing style, saying it’s part of the reason he's such a dangerous forward.
The 2013 All Australian required stitches to a cut on his nose after a sickening collision in the Giants’ 87-point loss to West Coast last Saturday night.
Cameron managed just six possessions and a goal against the Eagles and made numerous trips to the GWS bench to try and stem the bleeding from his nose.
Despite the knock, Cameron said the Giants’ medical staff had cleared him of any major damage, and he would continue to attack the footy the only way he knows how.
"That’s the way I play my football, and sometimes it’s a good way to get into the match. The contest is something I really like and enjoy in football, so I'll just keep doing those things," Cameron said after training on Wednesday.
"It’s a little bit of commonsense involved as well - you don't want to go back when you probably shouldn't.
Coach Leon Cameron denied his marquee man was reckless and lauded the attitude of the 22 year-old, but agreed that some minor modifications could help keep his leading goalkicker on the field.
"I would say he probably needs better awareness at times, and he knows that. The number one thing is obviously his safety, but also the safety of his teammates as well," Cameron said.
"It’s very hard to take that out of a player, that’s just got eyes on the ball, it doesn't matter where it is. You want that because he's a very brave player and he loves that physicality, but at times he just needs some more awareness of what's around him.
"Jeremy is never going to shirk an issue."
The Giants were given the day off on Monday after the long trip to Perth, in a bid to freshen them up for a clash with Hawthorn on Saturday.
The round six match will be the first time they have played at their home ground this season thanks to the Sydney Easter Show, and will be the Hawks' first visit to the ground.
The premiers will be missing captain Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis through suspension, and the Giants won’t be fazed by a repeat of Hawthorn’s aggressive showing against North Melbourne.
"It’s a great opportunity for the 22 blokes to get back on the bike. We pride ourselves on winning that contested ball, so our guys want to bounce back," Leon Cameron said.
"They play the game hard, they play it tough, and I think everyone loves Hawthorn for the way they go about it.
"That’s all they do is put their head over the footy, and if we don't put our head over the footy this weekend, they'll beat us in contested ball - they'll take it down the other end and they'll score."
