Collingwood's Darcy Cameron has emerged as a quality number one ruck option in recent years.
The 28-year-old moved to the Magpies ahead of the 2020 season following just one game with Sydney and has added a further 79 to his name across the last four and a half campaigns in black and white.
Cameron’s wish to leave Sydney came about him wanting more opportunities at AFL level and he’s certainly proven that he’s more than capable after winning a flag with the Magpies in 2023.
“I just wanted to get an opportunity to prove myself at AFL level,” Cameron told SEN WA The Run Home.
“I didn't really get much of that at the Swans, I only got the one game there and I still had a point to prove.
“I got my second game under 'Bucks' (Nathan Buckley), it was Round 2 during COVID in front of no crowd, but I think I proved that I was able to sort of play.
“Then over the next year or two, it was about not just playing a game, but playing consistently.
“My view over that time really did change because I started getting more belief in myself that I was capable at the level.
“I'm just really enjoying what I'm able to do out in the field and I couldn't ask to be at a better club.”
Cameron played as a second ruck to Brodie Grundy for much of his first two and a half seasons at Collingwood, but that all changed in 2022 once Grundy went down with a knee injury.
The West Australian’s play was so solid in the back half of 2022 that the Magpies were happy to trade away Grundy – a two-time All-Australian and two-time best and fairest winner – who still had five years remaining on a mega deal at the club.
Cameron says the move to put faith in him and second ruck Mason Cox by the Magpies gave the duo the belief they needed to take the mantle and help the club win it all in 2023.
“When I made the trade from Sydney, you couldn’t script it, to be honest, I didn't (see it happening),” Cameron said.
“But obviously for them to put trust in myself and also Coxy (Mason Cox), it (the Grundy trade) gave me so much belief to take that mantle and help out our midfield group and the team.
“It gave us both massive belief.”
After being drafted with pick No.48 in 2016 and only playing one game across his first three seasons in the AFL, Cameron still pinches himself playing in front of huge fans on most weekends for the biggest club in the country.
“I make sure I do have a look around before every game and look at pretty much all the seats being filled up to the top row of the MCG and think, ‘How am I here playing in front of these big crowds?’,” Cameron said.
“I’m just a big dopey ruckman just doing my job. I'm very lucky and I don't take it for granted.
“I'm so lucky to be in the position I am.”
Of number one ruckmen in the competition, Cameron ranks seventh in AFL player ratings ahead of the likes of Grundy, Rowan Marshall and Jarrod Witts.
Cameron and the Pies next face West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
