Geelong star Jeremy Cameron praised for classic reaction after being sledged all match by Ned Flanders lookalike Port Adelaide supporter
- Geelong defeated Port Adelaide in the first week of the AFL finals
- Booked a place in the preliminary rounds to play for a place in the grand final
- Star player silenced opponent who looked like character from The Simpsons
A Port Adelaide star has become an instant icon thanks to Geelong star Jeremy Cameron – and has also been given a new nickname.
The Cats were ruthless at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night to secure a place in the preliminary final after beating the Power 20.18 (138) to 7.12 (58).
The match looked exciting, especially in the early stages, and the home crowd gave up on the visitors.
But when ‘Jezza’ dribbled the ball through the sticks for his second goal, Geelong suddenly led by 27 points and the crowd fell silent.
This was especially true for a young man who bore a striking resemblance to The Simpsons character Ned Flanders, who spent the evening harassing the Geelong players.
Cameron seized the moment to run straight over to him and point him out, clapping back in the best possible way.
“Why is Ned Flanders shouting at Cameron?” asked one football fan.
“Ned Flanders throws his shadow off the fence,” added another.
“Ned Flanders looks upset,” posted another.
“I always wondered which team Ned Flanders was rooting for. Question finally answered,” joked yet another.
Jeremy ‘Jezza’ Cameron calls out Ned Flanders’ doppelganger who was hot on his trail
There were many football fans who pointed out the similarities between the Port Adelaide supporter and the classic character from The Simpsons
Cameron’s actions against the fans also received a lot of support from football fans across the league.
“He gave it to Ned Flanders,” someone posted.
‘Well done Jeremy, you didn’t behave like some players have in the past. That’s what football is all about, players and fans having fun,’ added another.
“Not very smart to criticize the star player, Jezza has the last laugh,” posted another.
The qualifying final at Adelaide Oval saw Geelong through to the MCG preliminary final in two weeks’ time, the club’s 13th preliminary in 18 years.
But Geelong veterans Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie, and ruckman Sam De Koning, will be forced to press their calls for a recall to the VFL ranks.
Hawkins (foot), Guthrie (Achilles tendon) and De Koning will play in the VFL semi-final in Geelong on Saturday.
The King returned from a knee injury in the state competition last weekend and was an emergency player for the Cats’ qualifying final against Port.
Five-time All Australian Stewart was dropped from the Geelong team, which handed Port its second-heaviest finals defeat with a 20.18 (138) to 7.12 (58) victory.
Stewart was substituted for the final home and away game in Geelong due to a hamstring injury, but fell ill in Adelaide.