Western Australia have caught a massive break ahead of their heavyweight clash against Victoria, with reigning Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron set to be officially ruled out.
Cameron was among the first players named to be partaking in Origin when squads started getting assembled last year, but has been under a cloud amid recovering from a broken arm he suffered in Geelong’s grand final defeat.
Just six days out from the clash, it is understood Cameron – whose 736 goals are the most of any current AFL player – will not make the trip west, with Ben King set to replace him.
King is coming off a career-best season at the Suns, when he booted 71 goals in 25 games and finished runner-up in the Coleman Medal race.
The 25-year-old also has a strong record at Optus Stadium, kicking six goals in Gold Coast’s round-one belting of West Coast at the Perth venue last year.
Both Victoria and Western Australia squads are set to gather in Perth on Wednesday ahead of main training on Thursday.
The visitors are overwhelming $1.38 favourites heading into the game with TABTouch, while Western Australia are paying $3 to claim the upset victory.
King will be part of a formidable Victorian forward line that will feature Western Bulldogs father-son superstar Sam Darcy, Greater Western Sydney captain Toby Green, Hawthorn veteran Jack Gunston and likely Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield.
Geelong superstar Bailey Smith was one of the last Victorians to be named in Victoria’s 25-man squad which will also feature Fremantle vice-captain Caleb Serong and reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/afl-origin-jeremy-cameron-set-to-be-ruled-out-for-victoria-ben-king-to-earn-late-call-up-c-21566894
