'Right time for him': Key reason for Jeremy Cameron's trade request

The AFL world remains in shock over GWS Giants star Jeremy Cameron’s request to be traded to Geelong, but more information has come to light about the reasons why the 27-year-old asked to switch clubs.

Cameron has played for the Giants since the team was brought into the league in 2012, and was drafted by the club as a 17-year-old in 2010 as part of the club’s initial recruitment allocation.

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He quickly established himself as one of the club’s most important players, ultimately winning the Coleman Medal in 2019, the year the Giants made their first grand final.

While Cameron’s decision is an unwelcome one for GWS Giants fans, his manager, Alex McDonald, told SEN Radio that after 10 years in Sydney, his client was keen to move closer to home and to family.

“He loves the Giants and he’s been wrestling with this for some time, but it’s a family-based decision,” McDonald told SEN.

“With his partner (Indiana Putra), he’s been thinking about it for a while, to be honest.

“They’ve been thinking about what the future looks like for them as a couple, but the short-term focus for Jeremy was more around his own family.

“He went up there as a 17-year-old, he’s been up there for 10 years and the opportunity for him to come back and be back closer to family and friends in Victoria - you don’t know whether that chance will present itself again any time soon.

“He was humbled. He obviously had plenty of interest and I won’t go into the other parties out of respect for them.

“There’s a lot of great football clubs out there, but this one lined up beautifully with the family and the off-field lifestyle and he’s very much an outdoors person.”

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Cameron, who has kicked 427 goals in 171 games for GWS, is after a move to the Cats, who are preparing for Saturday night's grand final against Richmond at the Gabba.

Giants football manager Jason McCartney said the club was disappointed in Cameron’s decision.

“We are disappointed by this news, having tabled what we believe to have been a suitable offer to retain Jeremy," Giants football manager Jason McCartney said.

"With Jeremy being a restricted free agent, we have a number of avenues to now explore to get the best possible outcome for the Giants."

While Cameron took his time deciding his future, many thought the 2019 Coleman medallist would remain with the Giants where he has been since the start of his AFL career in 2012.

Geelong will be a frightening proposition for rival clubs with Cameron set to team up with this year's Coleman medallist, Cats forward Tom Hawkins.

Cameron struggled this season, as did GWS, kicking just 24 goals - down from a career-high 76 last year.

With AAP

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