Cameron extends with AFL’s Giants to 2018

Now Greater Western Sydney bandmaster Leon Cameron has re-signed, the talent-laden Giants are looking to make sweet AFL finals music for the first time.

Cameron, who has been head coach for the past two seasons, has agreed to extend his contract to the end of the 2018 campaign.

It was a red-letter day for the AFL club, which on Thursday also announced a multimillion-dollar partnership with international tyre giant Toyo.

After securing many of their most promising players to multi-season contracts in 2015, the Giants ensured one of the code’s highest-rated young coaches stayed off the market.

In 2013, Cameron was an assistant to inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, and has set franchise record tallies of six and 11 wins in his first two seasons in charge.

“I think it’s a really good, mature decision from both parties. It was really easy for me,” Cameron told AAP on Thursday.

“It gives you a really good opportunity to stamp your input on the footy club and the way you play.”

Cameron acknowledges a rising tide of expectation around his club, which finished two wins outside the finals in 2015.

He hopes the Giants will be established premiership contenders by the end of his latest contract deal.

“I think we’re kidding ourselves if our squad of 44 players don’t want to play finals footy as quick as they possibly can,” Cameron said.

“What I’d like to be known for by the end of 2018 is that they are one hell of a competitive team that’s hard to beat.”

Giants co-captain Callan Ward was among the GWS identities to hail the news Cameron was staying.

“I think it’s extremely important to have a coach the boys love to play under and I think Leon has proven an example of that,” Ward told AAP.

The Giants remain in contact with young key forward Cam McCarthy, who was recently granted indefinite leave to return home to Perth due to personal issues.

“He just needs some time away from footy to probably regain the passion to play and we will constantly keep monitoring and he will constantly keep in contact with us,” Cameron said.

“It’s good that he’s with his family. That family support is what he needs right now.”

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