Hilarious moment Leon Cameron asks a journalist for a job as he reveals why he quit GWS Giants

Hilarious moment Leon Cameron asks a journalist for a job as he reveals what led to his shock resignation as GWS coach, the loss that will always play on his mind – and insists he NEVER lost the players’ support

  • Cameron fronted press conference on Thursday to explain decision to quit 
  • Jokingly asked a journalist if he had any jobs going now that he’s a free agent 
  • Nine-year GWS veteran said he still has the support of his playing group 

Leon Cameron was having one of the most stressful days of his life on Thursday as he announced he was quitting as coach of the GWS Giants but he still managed to make a joke at his own expense as he explained his reasons for the shock move.

The 49-year-old will lead the team for the last time in Sunday’s game against Carlton, bringing his nine-year tenure to a close as the side sits 15th on the ladder.

Cameron fronted the media on Thursday morning with his players watching on intently and was asked if he’d be staying in Sydney.

‘I hope so, yeah – you got a job?’ he joked to the journalist, setting off a wave of laughter.

When the reporter said there could be a position for him, Cameron continued, ‘Absolutely. You get your people to talk to my people. What do you reckon?’

Cameron’s players were hanging on his every word as he fronted the media on Thursday morning to explain his shock resignation as GWS Giants coach

It was a rare humorous break from a barrage of serious questions around his future and what prompted him to pull the pin on his time as coach despite his contract not expiring until the end of the season.

Whenever a coach steps down suddenly, there’s speculation that the team have stopped listening to him – but Cameron was adamant that is not the case at GWS. 

‘I know I’ve still got the players, but it’s a zapping job, and I’ll be totally honest, sometimes that can wear you down a little,’ he explained.

‘But in saying that, that’s not just the one reason. I think there’s a whole bunch of reasons.

After nine seasons with GWS, during which he developed the club from the ground up into a premiership contender, Cameron said the tough nature of the job eventually wore him down

After nine seasons with GWS, during which he developed the club from the ground up into a premiership contender, Cameron said the tough nature of the job eventually wore him down

Cameron speaks to his team during their demoralising 53-point loss to Geelong last Saturday, which was seen by many as the last straw in his time at the club

Cameron speaks to his team during their demoralising 53-point loss to Geelong last Saturday, which was seen by many as the last straw in his time at the club

‘This is a good decision. As much as what it sounds hard, it’s a good decision. The timing is right for our footy club to look for its next senior coach.’

Speculation Cameron could be on the way out intensified after the Giants’ win over the Gold Coast on April 2, when he revealed talks about a new contract with the club had been put on hold.

That went into overdrive after GWS were smashed by Geelong last Saturday, with the veteran coach admitting his team were ‘boring’ in the 53-point loss.

He said he, club CEO Dave Matthews and chairman Tony Shepherd came to a ‘mutual decision’ that he should go at a meeting on Tuesday.

Under Cameron, GWS reached the finals for the first time in 2016, made the preliminary final in 2017, lost in the semifinal the following year, fell to Richmond in the 2019 grand final, and made the semis again in 2021.

GWS players look on in stunned silence as Cameron fronts the media. He insists he has 'still got the players' and believes the 'mutual decision' for him to leave was a good one

GWS players look on in stunned silence as Cameron fronts the media. He insists he has ‘still got the players’ and believes the ‘mutual decision’ for him to leave was a good one

But results this year were far below expectations given the strength of the team’s list and highly sought-after ex-Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has been rumoured to be a strong contender for Cameron’s job.

‘We’ve been at the pointy end for a number of years. We’ve had a pretty bad run with some injuries and things like that and at that specific time trying to win that ultimate flag, we just fell short,’ Cameron said on Thursday.

‘That’s disappointing because as a senior coach, you hold responsibility for that. That’s always going to play on your mind.’

Matthews said the club will treat Sunday’s game as a celebration of Cameron’s time at the club and was full of praise for the outgoing coach.

‘He’s done what a lot of AFL coaches haven’t done and that is not just coach a team, he’s helped build a club,’ Matthews said.

‘His legacy is absolutely assured. He’s taken us to finals and won finals.’

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk