GEELONG spearhead Jeremy Cameron is resigned to spending more time on the sidelines with hamstring trouble as the Cats continue their charge towards the AFL finals.
Cameron kicked three goals in an important 41-point AFL win over Essendon on Friday night but was substituted out of the match before halftime with a right hamstring issue.
He was cleared to play at GMHBA Stadium despite experiencing hamstring tightness before the match.
“It’s a little bit tight … it just felt a bit too tight to keep playing last night,” Cameron told reporters on Saturday.
“That’s all it really was and that’s why we decided to pull (the pin) in the end.
“I actually had tightness in both sides (pre-match).
“With the gym program that I do, sometimes it can be like that, so that was sort of what I was feeling pre-game.”
Former GWS spearhead Cameron hurt the same right hamstring in January and again on the eve of the season, which delayed his highly-anticipated Geelong debut until round six.
The 28-year-old is unsure how long the latest setback will keep him out of action.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” Cameron said.
“I want to be out there playing and it’s disappointing when you’re not.
“In saying that, I’m going to use the opportunity to freshen up and get ready for the right time of year.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott defended the club’s decision to allow Cameron to play against Essendon.
“More than people realise, there are really hard decisions that need to be made by the medical staff,” Scott said in his post-match press conference.
“He had a bit of tightness there pre-game but they were confident that the right decision was made for him to play.
“It was a little bit complicated by the fact that he got a cork to a similar area … the medical staff are confident that he hasn’t done a significant injury, but it was not getting better.”
Cameron has kicked 28 goals in 10 appearances for Geelong, forming a dangerous partnership with Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan in attack.
The Cats will be able to recall Esava Ratugolea against Carlton in Round 17 after the ruck-forward was rested from Essendon clash.
(C) AAP 2021
