BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – AUGUST 5
In a team that has won just four matches, Thomson captain Jordan Camm has produced one of the GDFNL’s more stunning individual seasons.
Playing as a hybrid ruck/forward, Camm has kicked 54 goals, including seven in last week’s massive win over Geelong West.
Despite the Tigers’ struggles, only Winchelsea sharpshooter Cam Primmer and Inverleigh spearhead, who share the Tyquin Medal lead on 65 goals.
Camm has also been named in Thomson’s best player on 13 occasions, and has some suggesting – with the likes of Werribee Centrals’ captain Michael Culliiver ineligible – he could give the Whitley Medal a shake.
However, speaking on K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast, the affable 27-year-old has played down his chances of claiming the GDFNL’s highest individual honour.
“It’s (the season) been good, (but) it’s not winning,” Camm said.
Camm, who has only been held goalless once, was keener to speak about the performance of premiership teammate Jed Hanneysee against the Giants.
The Tigers’ vice-captain equalled Camm’s seven goals at Godfrey Street, but amassed a league-season high of 57 disposals.
“He’s just such a knowledgeable, skilful player; (he) just gets in the right spots every time and does have a good tank,” Camm said.
“(His) work rate is enormous, which has helped him.
“He was on a wing in finals in (20)24 and… he’s become our starting best midfielder just through work rate.
“And he put on a bit of weight and size over the off-season as well.”
Despite the limited success in terms of wins, Camm says there are plenty of positives for Thomson heading into the off-season.
“I think we’re probably exactly where we thought we’d be, but the glimpses have been… we’ve been calling them green shoots.
“You can see the pathways of some of the younger players we’ve got really taking shape.
“We’ve gotten a lot closer in a lot of the games than I probably thought as well.
“Winchelsea, who were rivalling top of the ladder, we were neck and neck with them.
“Werribee, when we played him the other week, we had a shot at three-quarter time to take the lead going into the last quarter, and I thought, ‘How good’s this?’.”
“We’ve been really close, and I think we’ve been a lot more competitive and definitely showed improvement from the start of the year to now.”
Whether Camm remains at Godfrey Street in 2027 is unclear.
He’s admitted to interest elsewhere and hasn’t ruled out exploring an opportunity at GFNL or Bellarine level.
“There’s a lure and the lure is just to, like, you can play GD forever, and you can have a great career,” he said.
“(But) some people have told me that (if) you want to play good football, you’ve got to go play GFL.
“I’ve had messages… ‘Mate, what are you doing? Go try it out’.
“But I do love Thomson. That’s why I stay. And I love the people and the club. And it’s 10 minutes down the road from where I live.
“You can get big money offers from faraway clubs. And then you find yourself going, ‘Who the hell wants to drive four hours to go play for essentially just money?’.”
Belmont Lions will welcome back Ben McPherson and Matt Dyster for the must-win meeting at Godfrey Street.
However, they’ve lost Michael Murdoch, Brock Mahoney and Noah Houtsma to injury.
Big man Jed Evans has been recalled from the reserves.
Werribee Centrals (1st, 13-3) will begin life without star skipper Michael Culliver when it faces finals hopefuls Bell Post Hill (5th, 10-6) at Myers Reserve.
The Centurions have settled on three changes, with Zech De Leon back from overseas, and Josh Stone and Damien Williams recalled from the reserves.
Paddy Daley and Tate Camilleri are being managed.
The Panthers, who have re-signed coach Ash Witney for 2027, get back Jordan Flaccavento, while Lachie Wilson will play his first senior match since Round 6.
They replace Tanner Martin and Sam Harmer.
North Geelong (3rd, 12-4) has been forced into four changes for its meeting with East Geelong (4th, 10-6) at Auswide Plumbing & Civil Oval.
The Magpies have lost Paddy Cleary, Jacsen Jewell and Damian Fazio to injury, with Noah Penny again the victim of a points squeeze.
They’ve been replaced by the returning Rory Desnoy, Jack Cambridge and Luke Schwennesen, with John Fazio to play his first senior match since last year’s grand final.
Inverleigh (7th, 9-7) has been boosted by the inclusion of Casey Meehan and Fin O’Keefe for what is shaping as a mini elimination final against archrival Bannockburn (8th, 9-7) at Victoria Park.
Cooper Sharrock has been omitted, with Sam Cations returning to the under-18s to prepare for the Hawks’ finals campaign.
Minor premiership favourites Winchelsea (2nd, 13-3) will manage five players out of its clash with Corio (2-14) at All In One Services Oval.
The Blues, who face Geelong West in the final round, are expected to snatch top spot off Werribee Centrals ahead of the finals to qualify for their first second semi-final since joining the competition.
Ryan Williams, Jack Terrill, Jordan Huff, Reuben James and Caleb Brown won’t take on the Devils, replaced by the returning David Isbister and Noah Harvey, and recalled trio Zach Ross, Eamon Dempsey and Callum Nankervis.
Geelong West (12th, 0-16) has made three changes to its lineup for what looms as its last realistic hope of avoiding a winless season when it hosts Anakie (10th, 4-12) at Scaada Stadium.
The Giants have recalled Matt Hanna, Riley Seresi-Unsworth and Alex Papas from the reserves, replacing the injured Nate Brislan, Archie Ingwersen and Taj Adams.
Meanwhile, interim West coach Andrew Clark has confirmed to K rock Football he won’t be applying for the job permanently.
More to come
X: @krockfootball
