GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron has detailed the challenges gun forward Jeremy Cameron has faced through an interrupted 2020 campaign.
Last year's Coleman medallist with 67 home and away goals, Cameron has battled for form this season, managing just 18 majors from 12 matches.
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His goalless performance against West Coast on Sunday drew criticism from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd who told Channel Nine, Cameron was "picking and choosing when he wants to compete".
He added that Cameron wasn't worth a $1million price tag next season.
In a year Cameron enters restricted free agency, the Giants moved to explain some off-field factors at play ahead of Saturday's clash with Fremantle.
"He's found it tough this year," the Giants coach said of his spearhead.
"Jezza's the sort of person that, when footy's done at the footy club, he likes to get outside, go fishing and have his own space.
"I'm not going to lie, he's found the challenges of COVID a little bit more difficult than some.
"That's why I've been rapt with some of the things he's been doing on the field.
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"His defensive running, his ability to go back and help our defence but we also understand he gets judged because he's got to hit the scoreboard and he's not doing that as frequently as he was in the past.
"He's giving everything he's got and I'm confident that will turn for him if he keeps rocking up."
The Giants' haphazard forward 50 entries – ranked 16th in the competition – have also hampered Cameron's ability to hit the scoreboard.
Last year's grand finallists suddenly find themselves in a fight for the top-eight after back-to-back losses to Sydney and the Eagles.
Cameron anticipated just one forced change from Sunday's loss with former skipper Callan Ward expected to miss a month following finger surgery.
Veteran midfielder Matt de Boer is in the frame to return from a hamstring injury to face his former side.
