In a special summer series, Richmond Media is counting down the top 25 Tiger recruits from rival AFL clubs throughout the past five decades. At No. 16 is Leon Cameron.
Leon Cameron was a 28-year-old veteran of 172 league games when he joined Richmond in late 1999 after being traded by the Western Bulldogs for picks 37 and 66 in the national draft.
The Bulldogs, with an eye to the future, had opted to off-load one of their playing stalwarts and invest in some youth.
They decided to release the highly-skilled, smooth-moving, versatile Cameron, who had provided them with fine service over a decade, winning their Best and Fairest award in 1993.
Richmond, keen to inject more ready-made quality into its line-up, jumped at the chance to secure Cameron’s services.
The Tigers, having finished 12th in 1999, were excited with what Cameron could offer, both on-field through his impressive skills set, and off-field due to his vast football experience and nous.
They subsequently negotiated a deal with the Dogs, exchanging their picks 37 and 66 in that year’s national draft for Cameron.
It turned out to be a top move by Richmond, as Cameron became one of its most important players throughout the next four seasons.
From the outset of life at his new football home, Cameron had a major impact.
In Cameron’s 2000 debut season with Richmond, he played 19 games, averaged 17.7 disposals per match and finished fifth in the Jack Dyer Medal, as the Tigers improved to ninth place on the ladder.
The following year, Cameron played a pivotal role in lifting Richmond into the finals.
He carved an impressive niche for himself across half-back, using his poise, creativity, running ability, and superb delivery of the ball, to full advantage for the Tigers.
Cameron was a natural right-footer, but was so proficient on his left foot, it was hard to tell which was his preferred side.
With his sheer class, in a sweeping role across half-back, he generated significant drive for the Tigers team.
He played all 25 games that season and averaged 19.3 disposals per match, with Richmond making it through to the preliminary final.
To cap off his excellent work in season 2001, he also managed to score 19 goals, mostly through long “bombs” on the run, during his dashing forays forward.
Cameron was rewarded for his form that season with 11 votes in the Brownlow Medal and third placing in the Jack Dyer Medal.
Although Cameron didn’t quite reach the heights of that superb 2001 season in the remaining two years of his career at Punt Road, with a few injuries affecting his overall output, there’s no denying the overall worth of what he brought to the table at Tigerland over the course of four seasons and 84 games.
