In a series focusing on Richmond’s trade/draft history, we look at veteran Western Bulldog Leon Cameron's move from the Kennel to Tigerland.

After finishing fourth at the end of the 1999 home-and-away season, but then being bundled out of the finals race in ‘straight sets’, the Western Bulldogs decided they needed to regenerate their ageing playing list.

Leon Cameron had been a fine servant for the Dogs during a 10-year career at Whitten Oval.  He’d played 172 games and earned a reputation as one of the smoothest, most skilful, versatile players in the competition.

A Bulldogs Best and Fairest winner in 1993, Cameron was highly regarded, respected and popular within the ‘kennel’.  But, given their plan to invest in more youth, they saw him as a very tradable commodity.

The wheels were consequently set in motion to find a suitor to take Cameron, and satisfy their demands for draft picks to be used on younger players.

Enter the Tigers . . .

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 12^th 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 the National Draft for Cameron.

It turned out to be a top move by Richmond, as Cameron became one of its most important players over 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, averaging 17.7 disposals per match and finishing 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 Tiger team.

He played all 25 games that season, with Richmond making it through to the preliminary final, and averaged 19.3 disposals per match.

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 his 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.