Collingwood ruckman and 2023 premiership hero Darcy Cameron has reiterated his commitment to staying with the Magpies, despite fresh speculation linking him to a potential trade back to his home state of Western Australia.
The 29-year-old big man, who is contracted with Collingwood until the end of the 2026 AFL season, has been the subject of recent trade rumours, with SEN WA reporting that West Coast is strongly interested in securing his services as part of their ongoing rebuild.
The Eagles are understood to be in the market for a high-calibre ruckman, and Cameron—originally from Albany, WA—is seen as a prime target.
However, speaking to AAP, Cameron made it clear he is content at the club where he reached the pinnacle of the sport last year.
“Of course I want to stay,” Cameron said. “Very happy at the Pies. My manager’s in constant conversations with people around here and I’ll let them sort that out. They’re such a good team. Hopefully we can sort something out soon.”
Cameron is enjoying a career-best patch of form, having finished runner-up to Nick Daicos in last year’s Copeland Trophy, awarded to Collingwood’s best and fairest player.
His standing at the club has continued to grow in 2024, with his versatility and leadership proving invaluable as the Magpies sit among the premiership favourites with a 10-2 record.
In last Friday’s dominant 51-point win over Hawthorn, Collingwood opted to rest veteran ruck Mason Cox, with Cameron supported in the middle by Tim Membrey and Brody Mihocek, while Billy Frampton provided additional cover at centre bounces.
“It was still pretty much the same game time, same amount of ruck time,” Cameron explained. “It was just asking a bit of Tim Membrey and Brody Mihocek, then Billy Frampton for some bounces. They all do a good job, and they [Hawthorn] don’t have a second ruck either.”
Collingwood now enjoys an extended break ahead of their blockbuster King’s Birthday clash against Melbourne at the MCG.
While West Coast may still hold interest, Cameron’s public commitment suggests any trade back west remains unlikely—at least for now.
