Cats star Cameron matches Ablett in 32-year landmark

Chris Scott is optimistic Jeremy Cameron could again threaten to kick a century of goals this season after the Geelong spearhead broke another long-standing drought.

Not since Gary Ablett Sr – against Melbourne in 1994 – had any player bagged 10 or more goals in a single match at Kardinia Park.

But Cameron wrote another piece of history with 10 majors in a 19.17 (131) to 8.8 (56) rout of the injury-hit Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

It was the second-highest tally of the 33-year-old’s career, following his haul of 11 against North Melbourne last season.

“He was on, wasn’t he?” Scott said.

“He kicked seven in the first half and obviously in the third quarter we didn’t play as well as we would’ve liked, but every time he went near the ball it looked like good things were going to happen.”

Cameron kicked 88 goals last year at an average of 3.4 per game, and has 17 in five outings this season.

Lance Franklin was the last AFL player to reach triple figures, when he booted 113 goals in Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership side.

Scott said Cameron could “maybe” kick a ton, but urged caution against early-season predictions.

“The game is different early in the season,” Scott said.

“That is a trend over a decent period of time, certainly the attack is a little bit different in April to what it is in the depths of winter.

“But I would be optimistic because he doesn’t rely on one way to score; he can get you in the ground or in the air or up the ground.”

Thrilled with Cameron’s individual display, Scott was even happier with Geelong’s spread of contributors in attack against the Bulldogs.

Patrick Dangerfield returned from a calf injury with two goals and Jack Martin (one goal) matched his captain’s tally of 11 score involvements.

Only Cameron (12) had more, while Shannon Neale and Oliver Henry were also among the Cats’ nine goal-kickers.

Scott felt the forward-line was as potent as it has looked all season, albeit just six games into the campaign.

“The best forward lines, at least in my estimation, over the years have been the ones that are multifaceted,” Scott said.

“Jeremy kicks 10 and it sounds a bit silly but it didn’t seem to me like he was the only option in attack.

“He was able to finish his work but the other guys were good, too.”

Geelong (4-2) take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in round seven, with Cameron likely eyeing another bag.

He kicked seven and six goals in his two outings against the Power last season.

Meanwhile, Sydney have overcome an hour-long lightning delay to claim a 41-point derby win over a toothless GWS.

The Swans navigated wet and windy conditions best to build a 19-point lead at the SCG before play was delayed at halftime because of nearby lightning strikes.

Play resumed at 10.02pm, with the Swans prevailing 17.5 (107) to 8.18 (66) after a brief Giants challenge in front of 43,986 fans on Friday night after a 7.50pm start.

The Giants’ goalscoring output told the story, with spearhead Jesse Hogan (quad) a late scratching as the visitors failed to capitalise on 59 forward entries.

GWS were already without fellow forward star Aaron Cadman (concussion) and are left languishing in 14th place (2-4).

League leaders Sydney (5-1) wrestled back local bragging rights after last year’s round-20 loss – the first time the Swans had suffered defeat after five-straight wins.

Swans defender Nick Blakey won the Kirk-Ward Medal for his best-on-ground performance, finishing with one goal from the centre square, 34 disposals and nine score involvements.

“The great thing about Nick is his development is about being a really strong two-way player and defending first and then attacking from that,” Swans coach Dean Cox said.

“He’s done that. He’s clever enough now to put himself into positions where he can be dangerous on both sides of the ball.

“The run and carry is always a part of it, but it’s the other aspects of his game he’s really bought into which has been really pleasing.”

Charlie Curnow kicked three goals, while Isaac Heeney had 28 touches and seven clearances after shaking off close attention from Giants youngster Ryan Angwin.

Clayton Oliver was easily the Giants’ best at the contest, but his 37-disposal, nine-clearance effort wasn’t enough to spark GWS.

Jake Riccardi stood tall in Hogan’s absence with three goals, with Callum Brown called up after playing in the VFL immediately before.

Bursting from the blocks after the lengthy delay, Giants skipper Toby Greene notched three straight behinds, before Toby Bedford finally kicked truly to get the Giants humming.

But the challenge was short-lived, killed off by a Curnow goal.

Giants coach Adam Kingsley refused to get too downcast on the result, adding that Hogan is expected to return to action against North Melbourne next week.

“We hung in, we created shots,” Kingsley said.

“Their ability to cope with our pressure was better than our ability to cope with their pressure … but ultimately there’s a lot to like about our game.

“I don’t think we’re too far away from being that team that we want to be, but we’re not there yet.”