Friday night’s clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium sees GIANTS Head Coach Leon Cameron bring up a significant milestone, it will be his 100th game as coach.
To celebrate, we’ve gone back through our archives to find some special photos of Cameron as both a player and a coach.
The Young Bulldog
A fresh-faced 20-year-old Leon Cameron runs off half-back for Footscray during the 1993 season. Cameron was selected by the Bulldogs with pick 7 of the 1988 National Draft but didn’t make his AFL debut until 1990.
Last Hurrah
Round 22, 2003, just two days shy of his 31st birthday Leon Cameron, with nephew Sam in his arms, walks out onto the MCG for the last time as a player. Cameron moved to Richmond during the 2000 trade period and went on to play 84 games in yellow and black, taking his career total to 256 games after 14 seasons.
New Tricks
Cameron returned to the Western Bulldogs after his retirement, taking up a role as an assistant coach from 2004-2010. This image captures an animated Cameron coaching the Bulldogs in a 2010 NAB Cup match against the Brisbane Lions in Canberra. In the background you can see Dylan Addison who would be coached by Cameron as a GIANT in 2014 and 2015.
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A New Nest
At the end of 2010 Cameron moved to Hawthorn take up an assistant coaching role. His two seasons at the Hawks saw him take charge of their midfield with his final season as assistant seeing the Hawks reach the Grand Final.
Learning from the Master
After being linked with Port Adelaide’s head coaching role, Cameron joined the GIANTS as senior assistant coach under legendary coach Kevin Sheedy. Cameron’s move was part of a succession plan that would see him take over from Sheedy as Head Coach in the 2014 season.
Family man
Leon Cameron, his wife Caz, sons Harry, Jack and daughter Amelia relax at home in early 2015. Cameron is a family man with all three of his children and his wife spending countless hours at the WestConnex Centre. The Cameron kids are often seen running around in GIANTS gear kicking a footy with Harry showing some of his father’s talent having been selected as part of the Swans Academy earlier this year.
More than a coach
Leon Cameron put an arm around Toby Greene after the GIANTS recorded their first-ever win at the MCG in round 21, 2014. Cameron has become more than a coach to many GIANTS throughout his time as coach of the club.
A special moment
We couldn’t leave out this cracking photo of Cameron and ruck Shane Mumford. It captures a special moment between coach and player after an historic moment, the GIANTS’ first win in Adelaide; round 18, 2016 against Port Adelaide.
Family time in the rooms
Celebrating a win is always best shared with family. In this photo Cameron is all smiles with son Jack after the GIANTS’ first final, a memorable 36 point win over the Swans at ANZ Stadium.
Always time for fun
While the job of an AFL Head Coach is a serious one, Cameron finds time to have fun alongside his players. The coach is pictured here cheering on the GIANTS in the gym as they take part in a pull-up competition. For the record Cameron pumped out the most pull-ups of anyone.
