GWS young gun Harry Perryman expects some baiting in Friday night’s AFL semi-final, when he tackles fellow fisherman, friend and former teammate Jeremy Cameron for the first time.
Cameron, who bonded with fellow country lad Perryman over their mutual love of fishing and camping, hasn’t played against the Giants since leaving them to join Geelong.
The much-anticipated showdown will come in Perth, marking the first time Perryman has seen Cameron this season.
The duo wanted to head out in Perryman’s boat earlier this year, when Cameron was in Sydney for an SCG clash with the Swans, but the Cats’ plans were tweaked to minimise their travel time.
Perryman hopes travel restrictions ease, allowing a proper catch-up at some point in the off-season, but the more pressing matter is a win that would end Cameron’s season.
“It’ll be interesting,” Perryman told AAP.
“There probably will be a little bit of chatter. Jez always had a bit to say, so I’m sure a few of us boys will give a little bit back.
“But it’ll all be good banter.
“It might feel a little bit different but we’ve seen him run around all season for Geelong, so we’ll just treat him like any other player.”
Cameron revealed earlier this week he received a cheeky message from former teammate and GWS assistant coach Steve Johnson, and said he expects “there is going to be a few words” exchanged on the field.
GWS captain Stephen Coniglio admitted Cameron was “pretty good with the lip for us” and added that the Giants only have respect for their foundation player.
Perryman is yet to speak with Cameron this week, preferring to wait until the opening bounce at Optus Stadium.
But the 22-year-old, who signed a contract extension amid last year’s exodus headlined by Cameron and Zac Williams, backed the Giants’ defence to quell a potent forward line headed by two Coleman medallists.
“I’m not fussed who plays on Jezza. They’ll do a good job,” Perryman said.
A match-saving rushed behind – the final score in last week’s thrilling one-point win – capped perhaps the greatest match of Perryman’s 69-game career.
Perryman, who was drafted in 2016 but has already featured in six finals, deflected praise to his inexperienced teammates.
“All the boys contributed. It’s changed a fair bit (since the 2019 finals), we’ve lost a lot of players,” he said.
“But our younger blokes, who had been in the reserves and worked hard for their position, are really hungry and it’s great to see them getting rewarded.”
AAP
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