Warrnambool product Leon Cameron is set to take Greater Western Sydney to its first AFL grand final.
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The Giants mentor led his team to a thrilling 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52) preliminary victory against Collingwood.
Cameron, who played with South Warrnambool, East Warrnambool and Caramut, said his team was looking forward to taking on Richmond in the decider on Saturday at the MCG.
"It's great that we're there and our players will need to recover well because we saw what Richmond did in the second half last night (Friday)," he said in his post-match press conference.
"They're obviously a formidable team but we look forward to taking them on."
The Giants coach, who played for the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, said he was pleased to make it to a grand final.
"You look back on your footy career and you're lucky enough firstly to play AFL footy," he said.
"I'm lucky to have played the game.
"But we lost a few prelims and it's disappointing because it really hurts.
"They're the hardest games to win."
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Cameron added his club, which has made finals the past four seasons, had progressed a lot since it joined the AFL.
The south-west export replaced Kevin Sheedy as senior coach in 2014.
The Giants will have some selections headaches ahead of the decider.
Cameron said injured star Lachie Whitfield (appendix) was a huge chance to play in the big game.
He said Stephen Coniglio was a chance to return after a lengthy stint on the sidelines following knee surgery.
Co-captain Phil Davis also injured his calf during the preliminary final but played out the match.
Forward/midfielder Toby Greene will return from suspension.
Cameron, who attended Woolsthorpe Primary School, made his senior debut with South Warrnambool when he was 15 and played in the 1988 grand final loss to Warrnambool.
He played about 20 games for the Roosters before being drafted to the Western Bulldogs at pick seven in 1988.
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