Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron has spoken on the incident at a South Geelong pub where he was the victim of an alleged unprovoked attack.
Cameron was at the Barwon Club last weekend following his side's seven-point loss to Fremantle when the attack took place, with a stranger allegedly headbutting the Geelong premiership forward.
It is understood that Cameron had not been involved with the alleged attacker prior to the incident, with police continuing their investigation into the matter. The AFL and Geelong were both made aware of the incident, while Cameron has been cleared to play this weekend.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Cameron said the attack was "out of the blue" and that it came as "a complete shock".
"I have been in the wars over the last month or so, but a little bit out of the blue this one," Cameron said, via 9 News.
"It was really unexpected. I was seated at the time. It was a complete shock for a little bit.
"Everyone there did the right thing and kept cool and calm."
Cats star Jeremy Cameron has thanked staff at a Geelong pub, revealing he still doesn’t know why he was randomly attacked. @joshuadawe9 #9News pic.twitter.com/nwwPsuldtY
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) August 4, 2023
The 30-year-old has been confirmed to face Port Adelaide at Kardinia Park on Saturday night in what will be a crucial clash for the Cats.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said he was comfortable with moving forward from the incident after knowing Cameron was OK and had not instigated the matter.
“He is (ready to go), as soon as it was established from my perspective that he was completely the innocent party and that he was OK, that was really the end of it for me,” Scott said this week.
“And really maybe the job of the head coach over the years has evolved a little bit but I just haven't been evolved in the nitty gritty once I established those key facts. I guess I did follow up a little bit, not so much because of that incident, but just in general whether is he ready to play at his best, and that's been unequivocal.”
Saturday's match against the Power will be the first time Cameron plays in the hoops without forward partner Tom Hawkins beside him, with the veteran Cat sidelined with a hamstring injury.
While Hawkins is seen as a live chance to make his return before the end of the home and away season, All-Australian Mark Blicavs, who also suffered a hamstring strain in last week's defeat, won't be cleared to return for some time, likely banking on a deep finals run to see more minutes this year.
The Cats are likely needing three wins from their last four matches of the season to make the cut, with games against Collingwood, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs to follow their Round 21 encounter with Port Adelaide.
