Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Cameron says the AFL's pre-finals bye couldn't have come at a better time, after he was struck down with the flu last week.
Cameron jokingly warned the Sydney media pack to keep their distance on Tuesday, and there's no guarantee he would have taken the field had the GIANTS’ first ever final been played last week.
The GIANTS’ 22 that beat North Melbourne in round 23 trained solidly late last week and had a light run on Saturday morning, but the club's four-time leading goalkicker was nowhere to be seen.
"I actually got quite sick and haven't trained for the last week," Cameron said.
"Having the week off was a bit strange for us, this time of year we're usually done and dusted, but it's good to have a break.
"The boys are ready to go now and it's definitely building up to be an awesome game.
"We're excited more than anything, it's an awesome experience for our young group.
"We've got a lot of belief in our ability and the way we go about things, so we're just looking forward to doing what we've done all year."
The GIANTS will take confidence into Saturday's Qualifying Final with the Sydney Swans, after beating the minor premiers by 42 points the last time they met in round 12.
On that night at Spotless Stadium, GWS small forwards Toby Greene and Steve Johnson kicked six goals between them, while Cameron, along with fellow talls Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb, contributed just four goals.
The trio did manage to take 18 marks between them, but Cameron was well held by Swans defender Dane Rampe, and expects another tough day against the league's best defence this week.
"He's obviously in All Australian form and going really well, so it's going to be another awesome match-up," Cameron said.
"He likes to run and carry and use his left foot to kickstart their play, so as an opposition player you really look at that during the week.
"I think it's about just playing your role, and we know that.
"At times you can't kick all the goals and that sort of thing, but there's other things like defensive pressure, keeping the ball inside 50, and creating opportunities for other guys."
Cameron, who missed the first four games of the year through suspension, leads the GWS goalkicking with 49 goals from 18 games, with Johnson (43), Greene (39), Patton (34), and Lobb (26), adding the valuable support he's been missing in recent years.
It's what gives him confidence against the Swans, who gave up just under 67 points per game in 2016.
"I think the way 'Jonny' (Patton) has been playing is huge for our side, especially coming into finals."
"He's been kicking bags and really jumping at the ball, which is great for us forwards.
"Toby (Greene) has played in the midfield every season until this one, and he's been thrown forward and got the All Australian honour.
"There's different guys who can play different roles; 'Stevie' (Johnson) is playing some really good footy, and 'Lobby' (Rory Lobb) is always playing a role as a forward or in the ruck.
"There's a really good mix and I think that’s what's helping us kick a winning score."
