Kane Cornes and Gerard Whateley have given their immediate reaction to GWS and coach Leon Cameron parting ways.
SEN Chief Reporter Sam Edmund broke the news on Thursday morning that Cameron will resign following this weekend’s clash with Carlton.
Cornes believes the situation has been handled well by both parties.
“It was clear to everyone that he wasn’t going to be their guy next year, so what is the point for Leon to stick around when he knew he wasn’t wanted,” he told SEN’s Whateley.
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“From the Giants point of view, if you think Clarkson is available, you’re going to get a good six-week head start on any other club in the race for Clarko.
“All-in-all from what I’m gleaning is it’s been handled pretty well. There’s not much bad blood and it was probably the correct call for both Leon and the club.”
Whateley agrees, adding that Cameron should be remembered as a successful coach of GWS, despite never achieving the ultimate glory.
“It’s important to handle the end well and the fact that it’s a home game against Carlton on Sunday does that,” Whateley said.
“For me, the Cameron years at the Giants were a success. I know others have a harder line on that and that’s totally okay, but he won finals four years in a row and then again last year.
“Most of their finals were won against huge odds. The run through 2019 was absolutely that.
“The moment that they missed was the Preliminary Final against the Western Bulldogs in 2016, where they’d already whacked Sydney in a qualifying final and had that game won two or three times.
“I don’t think his list was ever as good as some rated it because every year they lost players they wanted to keep because of geography and being a start-up.
“They had a lot of picks, but they were never able to retain them, so I don’t think you could make the case that year on year he ever had a profoundly better list from one year to the next.”
Cornes responded: “I completely agree with you. I think he’s been exceptional.”
“Once again, you’ve sort of got to look back on the teams that were selected, but did he ever have his full group? Like what Melbourne had last year. Did he have everyone ready and available to pick from in those big moments? My memory would say no he didn’t.
“They’ve always been a tough and competitive team to play against and his coaching style, it’s a little more old school, I think teams now can make it a little more easy on the competition than they need to.
“You knew if you were coming up against the Giants and Leon in a big game or a big final, you were going to have to be pretty physical to beat them.
“I really admire his coaching. He wasn’t scared to ruffle some feathers. Yes, you would have loved that premiership and there will probably be a point of view that with the exposure he has had to talent that he has underperformed and I’m happy and open to hear those opinions as well, but my take is the same as yours.
“I think he’s been an excellent coach and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets another senior coaching job in 12, 18 or 24 months time.”
Cameron took over from Kevin Sheedy and led the Giants to the 2019 Grand Final, among four other top eight seasons.