Geelong Cats vs Melbourne Demons preview, Cats forward line-up, Brad Close interview, Jeremy Cameron best AFL player, latest news

Brad Close has reason to pinch himself during almost every training session with Geelong.

The premiership striker, who has played in all but two games since round four of 2021, said he watches in awe at Jeremy Cameron’s exploits when he plays football on the training track.

The 2019 Coleman Medallist, who proved himself the match-winner against Carlton last Saturday by kicking five goals to take his season total to 19, finesses his football by kicking.

The 31-year-old hones his craft in every position, fine-tuning different shots, molding Sherrin from side to side, working hard to maximize his remarkable talent.

“You’ll see Jezza in training trying all different types of shots, and then you’ll see them succeed in games and you kind of think, ‘Well, that’s probably why it worked’, because it’s something he tried in training, and it’s working,” Close told foxsports.com.au.

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Such is Cameron’s aerobic capacity that he would be capable of playing on the wing or in the middle if that’s what Geelong coach Chris Scott demanded of him.

For example, the key striker is traveling further than ever this season, which has led to an increase in his involvement in games.

The 31-year-old is averaging a career-high 18 disposals per game and has also taken his scoring average, which is seven per game this year, to a new high.

Brisbane great Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy’s On the couch this week that Cameron’s versatility makes him an extremely difficult player to defend.

“I would say it’s hard to find anyone in the competition, at quarterback, who can handle Jeremy Cameron when he’s in that role,” Brown said.

“He’s also a great shot from the field. You also can’t leave him alone in the middle of the floor. Find me a defender who can run with him all over the field.”

Fox Footy analyst David King also described the former Giant as the AFL’s toughest player to face AFL360 on Wednesday night.

“You have to look at how Chris Scott is using this guy and what combination you need to make,” he said.

“The systems (are) being destroyed by this guy. So if you want to keep throwing system, system, system, he’ll kick five, he’ll kick four, he’ll set up another three or four and it’s game over.

“There are a lot of duplicate things. Lots of first possession and then follow-up. Your opponent is trying to spot you along the way, (but) you have no hope when that’s the case.

“Of his 19 (goals), 10 are undisputed marks and seven are in play. That’s just the combination that’s unsuitable, whether it’s athletically, incapable or just a complete mismatch.”

Fellow Coleman Medalist Tom Hawkins described Cameron as arguably the best player in the competition.

“If he’s not (the best player in the game right now), he’s very, very close. He is a remarkable player, in great shape and the way he does it is unique,” ​​he said.

“Maybe we haven’t seen that since Buddy Franklin (with) his ability to cover ground, get back to goal, find dangerous spaces and take advantage of big moments, big scores, kick big goals.

“When we need it most, Jeremy seems to be there (and) what’s great is that Jeremy Cameron has more coming.”

ONE MAN IS NOT A FRONT LINE

As brilliant as Cameron is, Geelong’s forward line is far from a one-man attack, with stars of all shapes and sizes helping the Cats excel in attack.

Hawkins recently told Fox Sports that the ideal attacking line features what he calls a “2.5,” which effectively means two key strikers and a hybrid capable of offering a marking option while also excelling at the level of the ground.

A squad of small forwards capable of creating goals and excelling in pressing opposing defenders plays a complementary role.

In Cameron and Ollie Henry, the Cats effectively have two hybrid forwards, while Hawkins offers a dual role given his excellent ruck capabilities.

A critical aspect that has helped Geelong in their undefeated start to the season is the role played by small forwards Tyson Stengle, Gryan Myers and Close.

While the trio have combined to kick 29 of Geelong’s 103 goals this year, less recognized is their running ability.

Brown noted this week that he doesn’t think any other team in the competition “has those tall half-forwards” who “just do wind sprints, 150-meter sprints up and down.”

They cover a significant area of ​​ground, providing link-up options on both sides of the ground when Geelong have possession or filling gaps when the Cats are defending.

“I think with a smaller forward line that we’ve been running, it’s been really good to feel comfortable and know what role I’m supposed to play,” Close said.

“I know I don’t need to have 20 disposals a week to play my role. I’m not sure (how far I run, but) it would be about 14 to 15 km. But we know that this is our role and it is to get up and come back.

“I think we’re using the ball really well on offense, so we’re accomplishing a little bit more than we might have in the past.”

Geelong’s efficiency in their forward line has been excellent for much of the year, with the win over Carlton at the MCG last Saturday a perfect demonstration of this.

Close attributes this in part to an altruistic approach. Dating back to the brilliant Steve Johnson in the late 90s, the Cats’ offense has made a point of sharing, with Hawkins at the forefront in that regard.

“I think the team as a whole is there to win the game and we don’t look at individual stats,” Close said.

“We look at us seven forwards, or whatever you want to call us, because we probably have ten guys at the end of the day that go through there, we’re happy at the end of the day for each other kicking goals.

“(Our efficiency comes from) the numbers we get in football on the front line, trying to find good shots, maybe using that extra hand instead of shooting when you see someone in a better position. It comes down to the work we do on the track, but probably also finding better shots rather than shooting.

“I think you see that in the way we celebrate… and it makes for a good positive attitude, I think, among the group when everyone is happy to be involved in sharing.”

RAHILLY’S RETURN

James Rahilly played 90 games for Geelong between 1998 and 2005, most of them in defence.

But it is at the opposite end that Rahilly, who has scored 11 goals in his career, is making an impact this year.

Rahilly, who assisted Close as a development coach when he arrived at Geelong via pick 14 in the 2019 rookie draft, returned to the Cats this year as an assistant coach after a spell in Adelaide.

The Crows were the most potent team in football last year and led the competition when it came to kicking goals inside the forward 50m arc. Adelaide is ranked 12th in these categories this year.

Geelong, meanwhile, is now fourth in the competition in terms of scoring this year and second in terms of the number of goals scored inside the 50m arc.

“Luckily my freshman year we had James as a development coach, so some of us already knew him,” Close said.

“We saw what he did with the Adelaide Crows forward line and he did a great job there. What it allows us to do is touch the structure, but you see that everyone still plays with their talent.

“He lets guys play their way, like Jeremy and Tyson, who have their own strengths. He really brings that out in all of us, I think, with a good, solid structure behind us.”

THE ROAD FORWARD

The Cats are one game ahead of Sydney and the Giants in top spot but face a testing month starting with their clash against 4th-placed Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.

Geelong then hosts Port Adelaide before a trip to Darwin to face the Gold Coast Suns, with the Giants traveling from western Sydney to face them in late May at Rd 11.

“I think our next few games are obviously going to be tough and I can’t see an easy game coming up,” Close said.

“That’s how the league is. It’s very balanced. And I think every team is getting better as the season goes on.”