AFL News: Newly Appointed Coach Cameron Remains Optimistic Despite Giants’ Poor Performance
Leon Cameron has officially assumed the head coaching position for the GWS Giants on Saturday.
He will be facing a daunting task as the Giants were just able to rack up one win during the 2013 season of the AFL.
Just on their third season since joining the league, Cameron is determined to turn the Giants' fortunes by making early preparations.
First item on the agenda is to gain respect from the 17 other teams in the premiership.
The word respect is a value of ours at our footy club at the moment, but it's basically off the field," Cameron told afl.co.au.
"Everyone understands, from the AFL to the general supporters of football, that the Giants are going to take some time."
"The 18th club coming into this competition, entering into foreign territory in the western suburbs of Sydney, it's going to take time."
"But right now, what drives me the most, is the 17 other clubs don't respect our on-field performances.
"We need to remedy that and remedy it quickly."
The battle may be tough, but with players like James McDonald, Al McConnell, Luke Power, Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Craig Lambert, and John Quinn, expressing their commitments to the team, it gives Cameron a framework to build on.
Cameron said that the team will also rely on youth, banking on their up and coming talents in the club.
Some people may say that their record during the 2013 season speaks for itself, but Cameron thinks that there has been a huge improvement in the club, considering its age.
"From the outside, people are going to look at 2013 as a failure," he said.
"But what I'm here to tell you is that inside the walls of the Giants, it hasn't been.
"We're playing a whole new game style from last year, we score more, we've had another six or seven players that have played their first games this year thanks to Kevin Sheedy.
"In all he's blooded 46 players at this footy club that will hold us in good stead for the future."
The pre-season games are nearing. Cameron wants to set realistic goals and involve players in the process.
"Our players have had their exit interviews, they've had that honest feedback, where they want to get to," he said.
"As a senior coach, I can't wait for next year."
"The confidence I have in this young group, the confidence I have in the staff members, to carry this group forward and win a lot more games next year, is one thing I'm absolutely looking forward to."