NAB CUP
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GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) senior assistant coach Leon Cameron believes the stakes will be high at Robertson Oval on Saturday night.
Cameron is a big believer that a strong NAB Cup campaign usually leads to early wins in the season proper.
Both GWS and Brisbane Lions got off to strong starts in last weekend's opening round with the Queensland visitors undefeated and top of the pre-season ladder.
Lions coach Michael Voss has set his sights on winning the NAB Cup competition and Cameron believes Brisbane is a team on the rise.
"They looked in fantastic form in their first two games so they will be up and about on Saturday night," Cameron said. "I think they have been building really well.
"They had 10 wins last year so they're starting to gel as a group.
"Vossy has obviously stripped them back after such a successful era in the 2000s and got good kids, the likes of Redden, Rockliff, Zorko.
"They're a very competitive side, they hit in hard so I'm sure everyone is going to see a great clash."
Some clubs treat the NAB Cup competition with little importance or respect but both the Giants and Lions have declared they are after pre-season wins.
Cameron has a strong belief that there can be huge benefit in a successful NAB Cup campaign.
"I think the NAB Cup form stands up early in the season," Cameron said.
"All clubs have their different focuses but if you look at history, the teams that have won it, or finish in the top four or five, start the season really well.
"Adelaide was the perfect example of that last year.
"Brisbane has started really well and is a chance of winning (the NAB Cup) but we're exactly the same and want to win the game as well."
Cameron said the Giants are excited about their first full-scale pre-season game.
"You can play as many intra-club and match practices as you like but when you actually come up against other side, it's really interesting to see how you go," Cameron said.
"Just to see if the little things you have been working on are put into place.
"We're still a young group and we're going to have ups and downs, as long as they are trying to comply to what we're trying to do then I'm sure good things will come."
Cameron has been to Wagga many times but this week's trip will mark his first visit with the Giants.
He will be keen to see what eventuates given he is to take over as head coach from Kevin Sheedy at the end of this season.