Darcy Cameron’s 2026 campaign has taken an unexpected turn, with the Collingwood ruckman finding his best form at a crucial stage of the season. After a challenging start that saw his role change significantly, the 2025 best-and-fairest winner believes he is finally rediscovering the level that made him one of the Magpies’ most important players last year.
Cameron entered the season facing a very different ruck landscape after changes to the AFL’s ruck rules placed greater emphasis on athleticism and leaping ability. As a result, Collingwood initially opted to share the responsibility between Cameron and emerging ruckman Oscar Steene. The arrangement represented a significant adjustment for Cameron, who had previously been the club’s primary presence in the ruck.
The new partnership was beginning to settle before Steene suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. His absence once again placed the bulk of the ruck duties on Cameron, forcing the experienced big man to shoulder a greater workload. While his performances during the opening half of the season were solid, Cameron believes he gradually adjusted to the demands of the new rules and regained the confidence that had characterised his outstanding 2025 season.
Cameron’s year also took on a much more personal dimension in June when he and his fiancée, Adriana, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Bruna. Since becoming a father, the ruckman has produced some of his strongest football of the season. His average has risen to 18 disposals and 27.3 hit-outs per game, compared with 19.5 hit-outs during his first 11 appearances, while Collingwood has also enjoyed a significantly stronger run of results.
Asked whether his newborn daughter might have become an unlikely good-luck charm for the Magpies, Cameron responded with a smile and suggested that perhaps she had played a part in the club’s turnaround. More importantly, however, becoming a father appears to have given him a different perspective. A disappointing performance no longer carries the same weight once he returns home to his family, allowing him to separate football from the rest of his life.
The ruckman also credited Collingwood’s coaching staff, particularly ruck coach Greg Stafford, for helping him adapt to the changing demands of the position. Cameron explained that both players and umpires needed time to understand how the revised ruck contests would be officiated. With greater familiarity now established, he feels more comfortable competing under the new interpretation and believes the adjustment has contributed to his improved performances.
Cameron will face another significant test when Collingwood takes on the Western Bulldogs in a crucial finals encounter, with Bulldogs ruckman Tim English potentially returning from injury. English, along with Rory Lobb, presents a formidable challenge in the air, while the presence of midfielders such as Ed Richards and Marcus Bontempelli makes the Bulldogs dangerous once the ball reaches the ground.
For Cameron, one of the priorities will be preventing the Bulldogs from gaining clean possession after ruck contests. English and Lobb provide plenty of height and athleticism, but the danger does not end when the ball leaves the ruck. Ed Richards and Bontempelli are both capable of turning contested possessions into damaging attacking opportunities, making the battle around the stoppages particularly important for Collingwood.
The Magpies themselves have had to overcome a difficult opening to the campaign and a significant injury toll. Yet their fortunes have improved as the season has progressed, with coach Craig McRae finding ways to get valuable contributions from players throughout the squad. Daniel McStay and Billy Frampton, in particular, have produced standout seasons, demonstrating that Collingwood’s success has not depended solely on its biggest names.
Cameron believes the culture created by McRae has been a major factor in allowing players to perform with confidence. Rather than placing excessive emphasis on individual status or statistics, the club encourages everyone to embrace their particular role. Whether a player records a large number of possessions or makes a quieter contribution, those efforts are valued by the group. According to Cameron, that environment gives players the freedom to enjoy their football and ultimately brings out the best in them. As Collingwood heads into a critical stage of the finals, his resurgence could prove just as important as the club’s broader culture.
