TANKING is well and truly off the agenda when it comes to the big debates in the AFL.
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While no one is trying to lose – the weekend’s results bear testimony to that – clubs well down the pecking order are undoubtedly looking at bringing down the curtain on the seasons of players carrying injuries, with a view to getting them right for 2015.
It is all about list management.
If you cannot win the big one this year, or at the very least make the top eight, ensure key players are in peak condition for next season.
Greater Western Sydney has certainly gone down this path with former North Ballarat Rebel Jeremy Cameron.
It has become obvious that the 21-year-old from Dartmoor in Victoria’s south-west has been struggling with a left ankle injury, so the Giants have decided to get him right with surgery – ruling out the rest of the season for the big forward.
If the Giants are to go places in the next few seasons, they need Cameron at his peak.
GWS football manager Graeme Allan said the Giants were following medical advice in sending Cameron in for surgery.
“He will then undergo rehab and be ready to start pre-season training and look forward to 2015.”
Cameron said the surgery capped off a frustrating season.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries this year - it all started in the pre-season in a practice match,” he told AAP.
“They kept me out for single weeks here and there, and I’ve struggled through it a little bit. I’ve kind of called it quits.
“It’s going to be lot better for me if I get it (surgery) done now rather than try to play out the year.”
He kicked 29 goals in the 14 games he played this season.
Cameron is off contract at the end of this year, but earlier this month declared he wanted to stay at the Giants.
david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au