Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron says it’s very much ‘back to business’ for the Cats as the reigning premiers landed in Warnambool on Monday for a two day community camp.
According to the All-Australian forward, the Cats' 2022 premiership run is well and truly in the rearview mirror, with Round 1 against Collingwood only six weeks away.
“The guys have come back really well and we're looking forward to building up with a bit of match play from here on in and really building to Round 1,” he said from Cudgee Primary School.
“It's definitely back to business. You start at square one again and every team is after the ultimate success so everyone is back on a level playing field.
“I’d say getting the balance right is key and I think we've done really well.”
Geelong returned to training on January 9 after the Christmas layoff, and Cameron said the group has embraced getting back to the club and back into preparing for games of competitive football.
“It’s been awesome to get back into training,” he said.
“Don't get me wrong it was nice to have a few months off and rest up and take it all in but at the same time it's been really good to get back into the routine of pre-season and getting the body back to where it needs to be.”
However, with the season opener against the Magpies set for March 17, Cameron said with partner Indi expecting their first child sometime around that time, he very well might be a late withdrawal.
“The baby is due either Round 1, 2, or 3,” he said.
“It’s a very exciting time, so it's (missing a game) definitely a big possibility.
"I've always been really clear that that'll come first and if that's the case I'll be staying with her, that's for sure."
As for who he turns to for advice about the pending arrival, there’s no shortage of teammates who can offer some tips.
“There's a fair few," he laughed, "most of them have about three."
“Last year I saw Isaac (Smith) sleeping at certain times before a few pretty big games and you could tell they'd had a late night.
“From what I've heard having one, hopefully, the baby is a really good sleeper, is ok, but when you have three or four the hands are really full.”
Geelong takes on Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday, 23 February, in their first pre-season hit out of 2023 before heading to Queensland to take on Brisbane on Thursday, 2 March.
