The path to 250 AFL games has been an interesting journey for Brisbane Lions premiership forward Charlie Cameron, which has stretched across at least three states.

And few people are more thankful of the country roads that took Cameron home to Queensland at the end of the 2017, and more precisely to the Gabba, than coach Chris Fagan.

Cameron was born in Queensland’s Mount Isa, before eventually finding himself in Western Australia playing for Newman Saints and Swan Districts.

From there he would be again relocate, this time to South Australia after being given a chance at an AFL career by the Adelaide Crows as a rookie selection in 2013.

Then after four seasons with the Crows where he kicked a total of 87 goals, the exciting livewire forward would join the Lions in 2018 – Fagan’s second year at the helm.

“He lit the place up the minute he walked in the door,” the premiership coach recalled.

“He did this with his bubbly personality, enthusiasm for the game along with the electric skills he displayed on field.

“He was such a positive influence on the team as we rose up the ladder in 2019 and this cannot be underestimated.”

During his time with Adelaide, Cameron showed he had plenty of natural ability though he was only just scratching the surface in his 73 games as a Crow.

But as Fagan rightly pointed out, the cheeky forward, more affectionately known to those close to him as ‘Chucky’, would soon play an invaluable role in helping the Lions experience success.

In his 176 games as a Lion to date, Cameron has booted 341 goals – which included kicking more than 50 goals in four of his eight seasons.

Like most forwards, Cameron is often judged only on his scoreboard contribution, however, his coach knows he offers far more than just goals to his team.

“He would be a nightmare to play on,” Fagan said.

“He doesn’t back down against anyone despite the fact that he is smallish in stature and he plays the game with flair and adventure.

“He is an entertainer, a player who gets the crowd going as well as his teammates.

“You watch the Gabba atmosphere explode when he kicks a goal, takes a high-flying mark or nails one of his trademark chase down tackles.”

Most of the world see the fun, entertaining forward loved amongst fans and football followers of all clubs.

Though there is also a more serious and mature side of the proud Lardil Waanyi man, which is most often seen when giving back to his community.

This has meant the 31-year-old has had to lead the way and endure challenges on and off the field so the next generation of Indigenous kids coming through hopefully won’t need to.

Speaking of Cameron being a champion on and off the field, Fagan expressed an overwhelming sense of pride on the eve of one of his most loved players reaching his 250th AFL game.

“He has never let this get him down though and he has always advocated for the cause of indigenous people through the example he has set on field and the work he does in communities around the country,” Fagan acknowledged.

“I am very proud that he has chosen this pathway.

“His story is a bit like Zorks (Dayne Zorko) as he was taken as pick 7 in the 2013 Rookie Draft – he’s had to do it the hard way.

“Who would have thought that he would turn into the highly successful player that he now is. It’s a credit to him.”