Pyke to Lions: Charlie is “going nowhere”
Adelaide coach Don Pyke has laid down the law to Brisbane counterpart Chris Fagan, saying it’s not appropriate that he spoke publicly about potentially recruiting Charlie Cameron.
Don Pyke says Cameron is contracted for next year, and therefore unavailable for a trade. Photo: Michael Errey / InDaily
Fagan said this week that he’d love to have Cameron at the Lions, an observation that drew a sharp rebuke from his AFL rival.
Cameron is under contract with the Crows until the end of next season, but there is speculation he might want to move closer to family.
“Very disappointing … he’s under contract, so he’s going nowhere,” Pyke said.
“It’s unusual that you would see comments about players who are under contract.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate (that) you talk about players at other clubs who are under contract.”
The Crows last year made a play for contracted Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs during the post-season trade period.
Cameron grew up in northwest Queensland and Brisbane before moving to Perth as a teenager.
Fagan says the speedy forward is an attractive prospect for the young Lions, who are bottom of the ladder.
“We’re certainly interested in getting players to our club to help us progress up the ladder and his age, profile and talent would certainly be something we’d be interested in,” Fagan told radio show Sportsday.
“If Charlie Cameron were to be available and interested in coming to Brisbane, we’d love to have him as part of our team.”
Cameron leads the ladder-leading Crows for goal assists this season and has kicked 80 majors in his 68-game career.
Pyke said Adelaide stars Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane will play in tomorrow night’s home blockbuster against Sydney, provided they pull up well from training, where they moved without any restriction yesterday.
Walker jarred a toe in last weekend’s win over Essendon and Sloane tweaked an existing knee injury.
There was speculation that Walker in particular might not come up for Friday night, but Pyke was upbeat.
“They trained fully – we’ll see how they pull up in the morning, but they both got through the session well, which is good,” Pyke said.
“No guarantees… but based on what they did today, both certainly moved themselves closer to playing.”
Pyke is mindful of balancing risk with game time for his players as the finals loom.
The Crows are top with two rounds left and the Swans, the league’s most in-form team, are fifth and breathing down the throats of fourth-placed Richmond.
“We will take a no risk policy with all of our players, not just these two,” Pyke said.
“But I’m also mindful of making sure guys continue to play because that’s important leading into finals.”
-AAP
