Not even Geelong’s high-profile midfielder Bailey Smith attracted more heat from opposition fans in the AFL grand final than Cam Rayner.
The Brisbane Lions’ fire-starter always knew he would be public enemy number one and lapped up the extra attention from Cats fans in the 100,000-strong crowd en route to his second premiership.
Rayner first drew the ire of the Geelong faithful in the qualifying final, when he kicked back-to-back goals from contentious free kicks, and leaned into it during the build-up to the season decider.
The former number one draft pick had a mixed bag at the MCG on Saturday, tallying just two disposals and giving away four free kicks in a quiet first half.
But he finished with 11 touches, nine contested possessions and a goal in the 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) win, kick-starting a run of seven consecutive majors for the Lions as they blew the game wide open in the final term.
“I loved it, I really did. The boos are like cheers for me,” Rayner said with a fresh premiership medal hanging around his neck.
“The grand final parade was awesome, I loved people getting into me. That was fun, and then again today, it was so awesome.
“Anyone that comes to the footy is a supporter and I understand that they’ve got every right. I welcome it all and I loved it. It was good fun.”
The Hillside junior found a spark in the final term, nailing Cats midfielder Smith in a crunching tackle, while later joking he celebrated so hard that he “nearly ripped my bicep” after his goal.
In the Lions’ change-room post-match, Rayner was speaking to reporters when he was embraced by AFL legend Leigh Matthews.
The 25-year-old said former Lions coach Matthews had been a valuable sounding board throughout his career.
“Little Cam Rayner as a kid is actually eating his heart out right now,” Rayner said.
“My dad watched a lot of Leigh’s football and he absolutely pumps him up through the roof.
“I try to resemble a lot of my play style on him. He was the same sort of player; real explosive and a little bit of a tank.”
Matthews famously guided the Lions to a hat-trick of flags from 2001 to 2003 before losing their fourth straight grand final against Port Adelaide.
Rayner and his teammates endured grand final heartache in 2023 but now have the chance to match the Matthews-led team’s three-peat next year.
“It’s funny: we lost our first one and they lost their last one,” Rayner said.
“Hopefully, history repeats and we can get another one and go again.”
