Coach Leon Cameron will finally have his first-choice forward line together in the same side with news that Jeremy Cameron would be picked to take on St Kilda at Etihad stadium on Sunday.
Cameron has served his four-week suspension for a high shot on Brisbane Lions youngster Rhys Mathieson during the GIANTS’ final NAB Challenge match that left him with a fractured cheekbone.
His coach had publicly floated the idea of the brilliant goalkicker returning through the NEAFL after last week's 86-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday, but Leon Cameron confirmed on Thursday that the 2013 All Australian would face the Saints.
The GIANTS kicked their highest ever score of 22.19 (151) against the Power, so the addition of Cameron – who has led the club's goalkicking in all four of their seasons in the competition – gives the side some serious firepower.
"There's no doubt his ability to lead up and obviously turn around front and square and score from loose balls as well makes him a unique player, but he's just to come in and make sure he plays his role like the other six forwards that are playing on the day," Leon Cameron said.
"I've got to work out whose spot he's taking yet, but he'll play this weekend.
"He wants to make up for a little bit of lost time. There's some times he'll be a bit rusty, because missing four games is a fair chunk, but we're really excited that he's back into our team, and he's an integral part of our forward line."
Without their best forward the GIANTS struggled to kick big scores in the first three rounds of the season, but smashed Port in Canberra in round four, and the coach believes Cameron's return will make his attack more dangerous.
The left-footer kicked a career-high 63 goals in 2015 and his presence inside 50 is sure to make opposition sides nervous, and life easier for his fellow talls.
Emerging big man Rory Lobb kicked four goals against the Power, while 2011 No.1 draft pick Jon Patton took nine marks, and the coach says the power forward is gathering confidence with every outing.
"It is a ruthless business and playing key forward for any team is a tough ask," Cameron said.
"He knows that and we know that and having Jeremy (Cameron) back in the team obviously helps, and Rory Lobb's development helps.
"We're hoping that Adam Tomlinson and James Stewart and these guys continue to develop, so we've always got that opportunity to pick two or three key forwards that are in good form."
The Saints sit three spots below GWS on the ladder in 12th spot but have shown some encouraging signs this year, especially in a tough three-point loss to reigning premiers last week, and Cameron says his men need to take the same attitude they displayed against Port to Melbourne on the weekend.
"It does take an enormous amount of good footy to push Hawthorn, especially in Tassie – they just don't get beaten down there, so they could probably count themselves unlucky, St Kilda," Cameron said.
"They're playing some good footy. They knocked off Collingwood by five goals so they're in good form.
"They could quite easily be 2-2 or 3-1 so we're under no illusions that this is a huge game for both clubs.
"If we don't bring some really good pressure and match their pressure then we'll get carved up."
