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News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Sheepish superstar Jeremy Cameron late to his own party
All attention was on one man in Geelong on Friday night, but Jeremy Cameron was late to the party, in more ways than one. The Cats were too strong for the young Bombers, recording a comfortable 15.19 (109) to 10.5 (65) win, with Cameron missing some chances and finishing with 4.5 to move to 79 goals for the season. The Cats superstar came into the clash on 75 goals for the season, miles clear in the Coleman Medal race and with speculation rife he could kick the magical ton this season. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Cameron himself admitted pre-match there was 'too much focus' on the 100-goal chase, but it clearly wasn't phasing the man from tiny Dartmoor in southwest Victoria. The 32-year-old sheepishly admitted before the opening bounce he was 30 minutes late getting to the ground as he tended to his farm, which is around 20 minutes outside Geelong. He then kept the Fox Footy crew waiting for an interview while he took a few more warm-up shots on goal and the commentators tried desperately to fill the time. Garry Lyon and Jordan Lewis both tried to get Cameron's attention before he finally sauntered over. 'I'll see if I can grab his attention,' Lyon said. 'No, he's having another shot.' When he did arrive, they couldn't resist some gentle ribbing. 'Jezza we've been padding for five minutes,' Lyon said. Lewis then chimed in with: 'Mate the game's about to start.' Once the interview did get underway, the former GWS star was naturally asked about the pursuit of the ton. 'Too much focus I reckon,' he said. 'Everyone asks about it, pretty much everywhere you go, especially the kids and that. 'That's all good fun, but I don't take myself too seriously, sort of try to laugh it off and have fun out there with the boys and that's what I'll be doing again tonight.' When he was asked about his overall approach, Cameron was true to form when he said with a grin: 'It changes for each individual. I got here half an hour late, which was spot on for me. 'That's how I sort of approach it. I did the last check-up (at the farm), just made sure everything's OK. 'Everyone's got their own prep and from there we're pretty steely focused.' During a big build-up to a match that wasn't expected to be overly challenging for Geelong against the lowly Bombers, goalkicking great Jason Dunstall talked about the chase for the century of goals last achieved by Buddy Franklin way back in 2008. 'I think he doesn't want to think about it too much, but it's there, front of mind, make no mistake,' Dunstall said. 'When you're a goalkicker you know exactly how many you have, you know what you're chasing and he's not far away.' Boundary rider Cam Mooney then stunned everyone by picking a big key forward to kick a bag of goals … only it wasn't Cameron. 'I think that man right there is going to be the man tonight,' Mooney said as the camera panned to another big Geelong forward, Shannon Neale. 'He might kick the bag. It's not going to be Jeremy Cameron, I'm sorry guys, it's going to be this man, Shannon Neale. 'Everyone's going to be too interested in stopping Jezza.' Mooney proved he's somewhat of a Nostradamus as Neale duly kicked the first three goals of the game over the opening 12 minutes. 'Shannon Neale came in as the support act, but he has grabbed the early running,' Gerard Whateley said 10 minutes into the game. 'Two goals for Neale.' Two minutes later, Neale had his third and Lyon quipped: 'I don't know if Cam Mooney's got the Tatts Lotto numbers, I tell you what.' 'The count is on,' Whateley added. 'Just not the count we were expecting.' It took until six minutes into the second term for Cameron to finally get his chase moving. He took a contested mark on a tight angle and had no issue stepping back and slotting goal No. 76 for the year. 'Jeremy Cameron, it's such a beautiful kick, and that's the rise the crowd was looking for,' Whateley said. Four minutes later he kicked his second from another contested mark with Mooney saying: 'Listen to the crowd.' Anthony Hudson then stated: 'For a career-best 77 goals, he was late to the game and late to get started, but he's off and running now Jeremy Cameron. 'That is two.' That 77th goal was one clear of his previous best, the 76 he kicked for the Giants back in 2019. The Cats took a 27-point lead into the halftime break and Hudson said: 'Eyes will turn again to Jeremy Cameron in the second half.' Instead, another key forward started to make his mark on the contest. Bombers youngster Liam McMahon managed one goal in each of the first two quarters and then two more in the third as the 23-year-old continued to give long-suffering Essendon fans some hope for the future. 'Jeremy who?' Hudson said when McMahon slotted his fourth. The Bombers closed to within three goals in a surprisingly competitive second half without really threatening to pull off the massive upset. Cameron was able to flex his muscles in front of goal in the final term, kicking two goals in a four-minute period to move to 79. He had another chance in the dying minutes. 'You felt like he had to get to 80 tonight to be a legit chance,' Whateley added. 'Not just a 'let's talk it up chance'.' But he pushed the shot across goal, with Dunstall saying glumly: 'Come on Jez.' The Cameron watch will now move to Sydney for the Cats' match against the Swans next week.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Channel 7 snubs powerhouse clubs as brutal AFL fixture fail backfires
The AFL's decision to schedule Essendon in several prime time games in the back end of the season has backfired, with Channel 7 choosing not to broadcast a match featuring the struggling club in the final round of the home-and-away season. The Bombers were given the most Thursday night games (four) and the equal most Friday night games (four) despite missing finals last year and heading into another rebuilding year. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. When the AFL announced the fixture for rounds 16-23, the Bombers were given six of their last seven games in prime time — including three Friday night games and two matches in Round 24 set to be played on Thursday and Wednesday. Essendon were just outside the top eight when the AFL locked in the floating fixture, but the Dons have fallen in a heap since. Last month Demons great host Garry Lyon labelled the move to put Essendon in prime time as the 'misread of the century'. 'The greatest misread of all time. The fixturing misread of the century. Horrible,' Lyon said on Fox Footy's AFL 360. Essendon have a 6-13 record and haven't won a game since round 11 — countless injuries derailed their season, forcing them to blood a record 14 debutants. Their nightmare season will get worse on Friday night when they take on top four hopefuls Geelong at their GMBHA fortress, where the Cats will be out to secure a juicy percentage boost as the race for finals spots heats up. The most interesting part of the game will be watching how many goals Geelong's Jeremy Cameron can kick — he has 75 goals for the year and a haul of 10 majors could put him within reach of 100 goals for the season. No player has achieved that feat since Lance Franklin back in 2008. The Bombers are still shackled by one of the most infamous streaks in the AFL — they haven't won a finals match since 2004, more than two decades ago. This week the AFL locked in the round 24 fixture, confirming Essendon would play Carlton on the Thursday night. But Channel 7, the league's free-to-air partner, has opted not to broadcast the Essendon vs Carlton game, instead choosing to broadcast the Sunday game between Brisbane and Hawthorn, two teams bound for finals. Channel 7 have opted out of the Essendon-Carlton Thursday night Round 24 game. Lol. — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) August 6, 2025 Carlton v Essendon so bad that Channel 7 doesn’t even want it ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ — Leonardo Puglisi (@Leo_Puglisi6) August 6, 2025 The game between Carlton and Essendon will be shown on Fox Footy, with Seven intent on showing games with finals implications. Seven's Director of Sport Chris Jones said: 'We're thrilled with the games we've secured in Round 24 and the way they set up a blockbuster climax to what's been an unbelievable AFL season. 'Having the final three matches on free to air, that look certain to determine the makeup of the top eight is a dream result and it sets up a thrilling finish for footy fans right across the country. 'All four games on Seven in Round 24 feature teams that will play finals – a perfect lead-in to what promises to be an unforgettable 2025 Finals Series,' he said. 'In every decision taken together with the AFL, the fans remain at the forefront of everything we do. The passion and loyalty shown by the fans in every corner of the country is what makes the game so great and we are stoked to deliver an exceptional final round fixture for the fans.' With Carlton also out of the finals race, the league's free-to-air broadcaster snubbing two powerhouse clubs is a sign of just how far these two Victorian powerhouse clubs have fallen. Then Wednesday after round 24, Essendon will play the Gold Coast Suns to make up for the Opening Round game in March that was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. That game will be on Seven. Essendon's fixture fiasco has also sparked discussion over whether the AFL should 'flex' games in and out of prime time, like American sports, to maximise the exposure to in-form teams. But that has complicating factors including a limit on five-day breaks between games, mandated by the AFL Players Association. Round 24 AFL fixture Thursday, August 21 Essendon vs Carlton 7.30pm, MCG Friday, August 22 Collingwood vs Melbourne 7.10pm, MCG Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast 8.10pm, Adelaide Oval Saturday, August 23 North Melbourne vs Adelaide 1.20pm, Marvel Stadium Richmond vs Geelong 4.15pm, MCG West Coast vs Sydney 7.35pm, Optus Stadium Sunday, August 24 GWS vs St Kilda 12.20pm, Engie Stadium Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle 3.15pm, Marvel Stadium Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn 7.20pm, The Gabba
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy great Garry Lyon reveals the agonising health problem that made him take drastic action just before a TV appearance
Footy broadcaster Garry Lyon revealed he was struck down with a 'nasty' back spasm just five minutes before going on live television ahead of the Crows' 14-point victory against Hawthorn on Friday night at the Adelaide Oval. In a bizarre twist of events, Lyon told SEN Breakfast that he had to go visit the Adelaide doctor. Lyon explained he lay down on the doctor's table to receive treatment right before going live on Fox Footy's coverage of the match. In fact, Lyon was forced to kick Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson out of the medics' room in order to see the doctors. 'I had to say to Jordan Dawson you wouldn't mind getting out would you, I've got a bit of a sore back. It was horrible,' he told SEN Breakfast, adding: 'Not good at all.' Despite the interruption, Dawson would go on to lead his team by example, booting two goals on his side's way to victory. He also amassed 21 disposals and made 12 tackles. Lyon had a back spasm right before Fox were set to go live on the game. He went into the Crows' medical rooms and sought out some treatment from a doctor Lyon, meanwhile, enjoyed a glittering career with Melbourne that spanned from 1986 to 1999. The half-forward played 226 games for the club, returning 426 goals during that time, before being forced to hang up the boots due to ongoing issues with his back. 'I had a nasty little situation. I did my back, it's ended my footy career but for 20 years or more it's been pretty good,' the Fox presenter told SEN. 'It just went on me on Friday and I was in a bit of pain,' he said, recounting the moment prior to kick-off. 'I had to say to Roo (Mark Ricciuto) can you get the Adelaide doctor to get me some painkillers? He said: "No worries". 'He runs down, he said they're very happy to help you out and this is understandable legally, they've got to see you.' Meanwhile, broadcaster Tim Watson took a dig at Lyon, calling the situation 'embarrassing'. 'I was on the Adelaide Crows doctor's bench five minutes before we're going on air getting a bit of a run over,' Lyon added. The Melbourne great has also delivered his opinion on Simon Goodwin's shock axing this week. It emerged on Tuesday that the under-pressure Demons coach would be parting ways with the club after their 83-point win against the West Coast on Saturday. While a premiership winner with the Dees, Goodwin's side has slumped this season, amassing a mere seven wins. However, Lyon was perplexed by the timing of the ruthless decision. 'I'm stunned, shocked, totally shocked,' Lyon told SEN. 'I had no heads up on this whatsoever. Absolutely shocked, I can't get my head around it. He won't be coaching a farewell game, that's something I can promise you.' Demons president Brad Green explained that the club had offered Goodwin the chance to oversee the final three home and away fixtures of the season, but the premiership-winning coach declined the offer, stating that he wanted to give the players 'clean air.' 'I always talk about the team mentality, and no one is bigger than the team. I didn't want it to be about me. It's about them and the progress they have had,' he explained, before adding that he will take some time off from footy with his family.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
AFL fans call out Demons over Simon Goodwin's farewell snub as club great in shock
Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon has been left shocked at the timing of Simon Goodwin's axing with three games left to go in the season with suggestions the veteran is unlikely to coach a farewell game. On Tuesday morning it emerged the Melbourne Demons had sacked Goodwin following a convincing 83-point win over West Coast. There were suggestions Goodwin would be let go if Melbourne lost to West Coast on the weekend. The demolition of the lowly Eagles seemed to quell the noise momentarily with a decision to be made at the end of the season. Although the win didn't save Goodwin from the axe with the timing of the move leaving supporters in shock. Goodwin coached Melbourne to their first premiership in 57 years years back in 2021 having taken over from Paul Roos. But Goodwin had only managed to coach the Demons to seven wins in 2025 and performances across the last few years had prompted calls for change. And Lyon admitted he was struggling to get his head around the decision to pull the trigger with three games left to go. Speaking on SEN Radio as the news dropped, Lyon suggested there might not be a farewell game for Goodwin who deserved a send off having delivered the side their only premiership in recent times. 'I'm stunned, shocked, totally shocked,' Lyon said on SEN Radio. 'I had no heads up on this whatsoever. Absolutely just shocked, I can't get my head around it. He won't be coaching a farewell game, that's something I can promise you.' And fans have echoed Lyon's confusion to why the decision happened now. Many feel the Demons had left the decision so late it was only right to let Goodwin see out the season and have a farewell. With little to play for, the fans could have got behind the coach with three games left if they let him ride out the season. Unfortunately, it appears Goodwin and Melbourne will go their separate ways immediately with the supporters most likely not given an opportunity to get behind their premiership-winning coach one last time. I think a parting of ways at the end of the season would have been more respectful to our only premiership coach in nearly 70 years but a change was you Simon Goodwin for helping turn our club around and the memory of 2021 ❤️💙@melbournefc #AFL — Julian Cross (@CrossJulian) August 4, 2025 Shocked by the decision to sack Goodwin right now. Hope he is remembered as a legend of the footy club. What the Demons do next is very interesting…Do they see this as an opportunity to challenge again with a fresh voice? Or is it a total wipe out of star players? — Matt Nevett (@matt_nevett_) August 4, 2025 Can't but feel like we could've waited until the end of the year & given our only living premiership coach a bit of a send off. 100% the right call but jeez this man delivered something that I never thought we'd ever see. Thanks Goody that day in 2021 will be forever the greatest — James Plunkett (@jplunkett21) August 4, 2025 Lyon felt the call came prematurely with Goodwin's stature as a premiership winner going to see him reach the end of the season. 'I'm absolutely stunned. I thought there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determine whether he would coach out his final year,' he added. 'Premiership coaches are pretty rare at the Melbourne footy club. He's one of four. He will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn't guarantee your tenure. This is a massive call.' Melbourne making moves with Simon Goodwin axing After Melbourne capitulated in round 20, Goodwin shut down outside noise and said he was fully committed to the job at hand. "I feel incredibly supported by the board, I have for nine years," Goodwin said last Thursday. "We've been able to go through these challenges before with clarity and strength and stability to create success." Goodwin won the 2021 flag with one of the youngest teams of the modern era and started their 2022 title defence in solid form. However, Goodwin couldn't get past the early stages of the finals since the flag having exited in straight sets in 2022 and 2023. Last year, Melbourne finished in 14th and they currently sit in 12th and are out of finals contention. The Demons hierarchy may have called time on Goodwin's season with three games to go in a bid to get ahead of their rivals in the search for a new head coach. There are suggestions a number of teams could be looking at change for the 2026 season and the Demons have made their move first. Only last week, AFL great Matthew Lloyd claimed he didn't think a win against the Eagles would ease the pressure on Goodwin's tenure as coach. "I don't think so, no," Lloyd said when asked on Nine's Today Show. "Moreso if they lost that game, that could spell the end for Simon Goodwin you would think, if they were to lose to West Coast who have won one game for the season. They have been off for a couple of years now, there is something not quite right."
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Melbourne stuns AFL by sacking premiership coach Simon Goodwin
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Melbourne is in search of its next coach after sacking premiership mentor Simon Goodwin just days after a resounding victory. The Demons, 12th on the ladder after beating West Coast by 83 points on Saturday, sacked Goodwin with a year left to run on his contract. Goodwin steered the Demons to the 2021 premiership but has since failed to win a final. 'I'm stunned, shocked, totally shocked. Absolutely, just shocked, I can't get my head around it,' Melbourne legend Garry Lyon said on SEN after hearing the news. Melbourne has sacked Simon Goodwin. Picture: Michael Klein 'I thought there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determined whether he could coach out the final year of his contract. Premiership coaches are rare at Melbourne, he's one of four, he will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn't guarantee tenure. This is a massive call.' The Demons finished inside the top four twice in as many seasons after their drought-breaking flag but were eliminated in straight sets on both occasions. Goodwin presented to the board last Monday following Melbourne's horror loss to St Kilda. The Demons coughed up a record three-quarter-time lead and two goals in the final 10 seconds to lose the match. On Thursday, Goodwin said the meeting was a routine presentation and denied he was coaching for his career against the Eagles. 'We're all very aligned about the process of where we need to go to, what we need to create success,' Goodwin said. Goodwin and captain Max Gawn with the ultimate prize. Picture: Michael Klein 'We always knew that in this transition period that there would be challenges, our job is not to get consumed with the noise. 'Our job is to go about the process … these conversations are ongoing and we're really clear about the strategy. I feel incredibly supported by the board, I have for nine years. 'I've been able to go through these challenges before with clarity and strength and stability to create success; 2019 we finished second last, two years later we won the flag. 'You can't get consumed in noise. All you can do is be clear with your strategy, clear with your process, understand challenge, be clear about it and go about the process to build the next great team – I feel incredibly supported by the board.' Originally published as AFL 2025: Melbourne sacks premiership coach Simon Goodwin
