GWS forward Jeremy Cameron hailed after superb gesture for stranger
Neutral fans are jumping on the Greater Western Sydney bandwagon in droves after a brilliant gesture from Jeremy Cameron captured the imaginations of the Australian sporting community.
Cameron's men made history on Saturday evening after beating Collingwood to clinch a maiden grand final appearance for the Giants.
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The GWS boys may just have every neutral support in their corner to beat Richmond in the decider, especially after Cameron's superb moment of class off the field.
Social media user named Mikey Nicholson revealed in a post that Cameron had found his friend's lost wallet and went above and beyond to get it back to him.
Not only did the GWS star track the man down to return it, he left a wonderful note that even included some cash and a cheeky message.
Am I a @GWSGIANTS supporter now? (This happened to a FB friend of mine). #AFLFinals #AFLPiesGiants #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/fIeV9fkt9T
— Mikey Nicholson (@Mikey_Nicholson) September 21, 2019
“So last night I lost my wallet and Jeremy Cameron from GWS found it, tracked me down and put $50 in it,” the original post stated.
“Hey brother, I found your wallet while having a kick with the boys this morning, before we beat the Pies,” the note read (also predicting the result of the game correctly, by the way).
“Hope it gets back to you! P.S. I’ve put $50 bucks in it so you can purchase a GWS beanie and scarf. Cheers mate.”
The brilliant gesture was widely praised in the AFL community, with many fans even pondering whether to switch allegiances to support GWS in next Saturday's grand final against Richmond.
*I* go for the Giants after that.
— Mikey Nicholson (@Mikey_Nicholson) September 21, 2019
This is simply outstanding!! Amazing work! I love it!
— TomRehn9 (@tomrehn9) September 21, 2019
i'm not even an AFL follower but Jeremy Cameron #18 is an awesome human
— Oldman Ranting (@oldmanranting) September 21, 2019
What a legend
— Scott Thomas (@7Scott77) September 21, 2019
That is brilliant. But as a Pies supporter I need to recover from today first. But will barrack for them next week.
— RH888 (@rsbh61) September 21, 2019
Damn it think i am a GWS supporter now too!
— Huss S (@hussbo1) September 21, 2019
If this is legit it’s incredible. I’m all on the Giants train
— James McKern (@jLmcKern) September 21, 2019
Verified. I am the friend and can confirm that I lost my wallet and he did indeed return it and wrote this note.
— Adam Ross (@muse_me) September 21, 2019
GWS not interested in underdogs tag
GWS coach Leon Cameron knows Richmond will go into the AFL grand final as hot favourites, but he's not interested in using the underdog tag as motivation.
The Giants won through to their first premiership decider when they outplayed Collingwood for three quarters then hung on to claim a four-point preliminary final thriller at the MCG on Saturday night.
It was the latest in a string of surprise results for GWS, who didn't finish the home-and-away season well, but still claimed sixth spot on the ladder.
The Western Bulldogs were 'supposed' to win their elimination final at Giants Stadium and second-placed Brisbane were most assuredly 'meant' to end the Giants' season in their semi-final at the Gabba.
But it's not about who's supposed to win according to other people for GWS.
"I understand there's always going to be an underdog story," Cameron said.
"The Dogs were magnificent in '16, then Richmond came in '17 when people probably didn't think they would win it.
"We don't really draw on that.
"We'll probably be fair underdogs against Richmond, but at the end of the day, when the ball bounces, both sides have got everything to lose.
"If we get beaten or if we win the game next weekend, we won't be sitting here blaming an underdog tag or blaming injuries or what's happened in the past.
"When the ball bounces it's going to be on."
The Giants will get star forward Toby Greene back from suspension and Lachie Whitfield is likely to return after having his appendix removed.
"He's a massive chance, a huge chance, but if he's not fit or healthy enough to play 100 minutes of footy, then we won't pick him," Cameron said.
"But all the signs are heading in the right direction.
"The surgery was really simple ... every box was ticked there, so there was no setbacks in surgery.
"Lachie Whitfield will definitely be putting his hand up next week."
Co-captain Phil Davis played out the match against the Pies with a sore calf, but Cameron is quietly confident scans will won't show any serious injury.
Stephen Coniglio, having not played since round 17 with a knee injury and surgery, will also press his claim for a grand-final berth.
With AAP