Superstar Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron has allayed any fears over a Tom Hawkins-less Cats forward line in 2025.
The departure of Hawkins has meant the 31-year-old Cameron is the new veteran voice in an otherwise young forward contingent, however the four-time All-Australian is bullish on what the Cats' frontline can achieve in the upcoming campaign.
Speaking ahead of Opening Round, Cameron spoke on the importance of 22-year-old key emerging key forward Shannon Neale and his role in the post-Hawkins era.
"They're big shoes to fill but he's shown us what he can do for a long period, we know he can launch at the footy and create a contest for us and that's all we really ask," Cameron said.
Neale is coming off a career-best season, with the 203cm big man recording a career-high in both games played (15) and goals scored (23). In Geelong's pre-season fixture against Essendon last week, Neale registered six marks and kicked two goals whilst also pinch-hitting in the ruck.
Neale is among a group of six active Cats players to average at least one goal per game throughout the 2024 campaign, joining the likes of Jeremy Cameron (64 total goals), Tyson Stengle (46), Ollie Henry (37), Brad Close (25) and Shaun Mannagh (15).
It's also worth noting that despite not quite reaching the one-goal-a-game threshold, fellow forwards Ollie Dempsey and Gryan Miers also enjoyed impressive seasons last time out - the former becoming only the second Cat to ever win the Rising Star Award (following Joel Selwood in 2007) and the latter ending the campaign sixth in total goal assists league-wide.
The duo also proved themselves capable of hitting the scoreboard, combining for 43 goals across their run to the preliminary finals.
The off-season acquisition of Jack Martin is a move that may further spark excitement amongst Cats fans. The mercurial forward has struggled for continuity throughout his career however appears injury-free and ready to go for 2025. The former Carlton and Gold Coast small has kicked 133 goals in 151 career games and adds some much-needed experience, joining Cameron as the only full-time forward over the age of 30.
In a further boost to the Geelong forward stocks, Chris Scott has revealed plans for veteran midfield bull Patrick Dangerfield to spend more time in the forward line this season.
"With the great players, when there is a structural situation where you have a deep forward, that's one thing, but when that deep forward is Dustin Martin, it changes everything. Paddy is in that category," Scott told AFL.com.au this pre-season.
Cameron expressed his excitement on the prospect of sharing a forward line with the Brownlow medallist.
"It's gonna be great to have him down there, we know he can impact as a forward, he's very damaging and he's gonna be a good target when we need him," the Cats sharpshooter said.
The 34-year-old has proven himself more than capable around the big sticks throughout his 17-year career, having kicked an impressive 335 goals from 337 matches from midfield. His best season return came in his second season with the Cats (2017) where he registered an impressive 45 goals.
Despite coming off an All-Australian season which saw him ranked second in the Coleman Medal, Cameron reflected on his 2024 as 'imperfect' and cited a need to improve his own all-round game ahead of the new campaign.
"I think I can always improve on everything," Cameron said.
"I thought I was pretty inaccurate last year, and sort of floated in and out of games at times".
"It is never going to be perfect, I play a lot of golf and it is like that, you never play a perfect round. It is always frustrating, there is always a missed putt or something you can improve on.
"I look at it that way, gelling with Shannon Neale and the other guys up there is always an area for improvement."
The Cats will debut their new-look forward line in Thursday's season opener at the Gabba against Brisbane.
