Senior Cam Rayner (2017-)

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No.1 Lion set to prove he's one out of the box (Marc McGowan)
AS CAM Rayner – the pre-ordained Lion King – boxed himself to exhaustion before Christmas, he was reminded of what is necessary if he is to realise his vast potential. The dux of the 2017 draft class and supposed second coming of Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin has his flaws, like everyone else.

Even as recruiters frothed over Rayner's package of speed, power and explosiveness in his draft year, they also queried his running ability, which remains a work in progress. A promising debut AFL campaign, during which he played every game, kicked 20 goals and found himself in position to win games off his own boot, only fuelled the hype about Brisbane's young gun.

However, often forgotten is that this is a 19-year-old kid still learning the caper. "I came back and wasn't in great shape after the off-season. That was my first break," Rayner told AFL.com.au with a sheepish grin. "I've got back down to 91kg now and I'm pretty comfortable there. "I was playing at that (last year) and towards the end I got a little bit heavier, but I'm aiming to stay around 90-91kg this year."

Rayner whipped himself into shape with four gruelling boxing sessions a week, plus regular discussions with club dietitian Pip Taylor, who encouraged him to cut out full-cream milk and bread. "My second pre-season was a lot harder than my first one," he said. "This year I feel as fit as I've been and (I'm) getting to contests a little bit easier and still having a little bit left in the tank, which I never really felt in my junior career. "I guess that's what the pre-seasons do for you, but it's exciting. If I get a couple more pre-seasons under my belt maybe I'll be a full-time midfielder – but we'll just see what happens."

The AFL's new 6-6-6 starting positions have helped kick along that goal, Rayner says, with teams expected to mix up their centre-square dynamic more. Coach Chris Fagan agrees and lists him among the speed demons he plans to unleash in the middle in 2019 as the Lions try to put a decade of mediocrity behind them. "He's a power athlete and is great around stoppages, so we need to get him to as many (of them) as we can, but also keeping those attributes for forward-line play as well," Fagan told AFL.com.au. "He's fitter this year than he was last year, because this is his second pre-season and he knows a bit more about preparing for AFL football. "But it will be a gradual increase in his midfield minutes rather than a sudden explosion."

Rayner, who is contracted through the 2021 season, also continues to embrace the external pressure on him to become the club's next big star. Being the No.1 draft pick has proven crippling for others, but the teenager believes being somewhat hidden away in Brisbane has helped. Carlton's Sam Walsh, the newest top selection, hasn't enjoyed that same benefit and his strong start has sparked all sorts of hyperbolic media coverage.

"It's not too bad. It was probably a bit more full-on the first year, (but) as you get into your second and third year there's a new No.1 draft pick and the attention goes to him," Rayner said. "But I think it's just something you have to get used to. "It kind of brings out the best in me, I reckon. It adds a bit more nerves and turns into a bit more energy and you kind of just thrive with that."
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Cam Rayner: 'As fit as I've ever been' (Marc McGowan)
As Cam Rayner – the pre-ordained Lion King – boxed himself to exhaustion before Christmas, he was reminded of what is necessary if he is to realise his vast potential. The dux of the 2017 draft class and supposed second coming of Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin has his flaws, like everyone else.

Even as recruiters frothed over Rayner's package of speed, power and explosiveness in his draft year, they also queried his running ability, which remains a work-in-progress. A promising debut AFL campaign, where he played every game, kicked 20 goals and found himself in position to win games off his own boot, only fuelled the hype about Brisbane's young gun.

But often forgotten is that this is a 19-year-old kid still learning the caper. "I came back and wasn't in great shape after the off-season. That was my first break," Rayner told AFL.com.au with a sheepish grin. "I've got back down to 91kg now and I'm pretty comfortable there. "I was playing at that (last year) and towards the end I got a little bit heavier, but I'm aiming to stay around 90-91kg this year."

Rayner whipped himself into shape with four gruelling boxing sessions a week, plus regular discussions with Club dietitian Pip Taylor, who encouraged him to cut out full-cream milk and bread. "My second pre-season was a lot harder than my first one," he said. "This year I feel as fit as I've ever been and (I'm) getting to contests a little bit easier and still having a little bit left in the tank, which I never really felt in my junior career. "I guess that's what the pre-seasons do for you, but it's exciting. If I get a couple more pre-seasons under my belt; maybe I'll be a full-time midfielder – but we'll just see what happens.

The AFL's new 6-6-6 starting positions have helped kick-a-long that goal, Rayner says, with teams expected to mix up their centre-square dynamic more. Coach Chris Fagan agrees and lists him among the speed demons he plans to unleash in the middle in 2019 as the Lions try to put a decade of mediocrity behind them.

"He's a power athlete and is great around stoppages, so we need to get him to as many (of them) as we can, but also keeping those attributes for forward-line play as well," Fagan told AFL.com.au. "He's fitter this year than he was last year, because this is his second pre-season and he knows a bit more about preparing for AFL football. "But it will be a gradual increase in his midfield minutes rather than a sudden explosion."

Rayner, who is contracted through the 2021 season, also continues to embrace the external pressure on him to become the Club's next big star. Being the No.1 draft pick has proven crippling for others, but the teenager believes being somewhat hidden away in Brisbane has helped. Carlton's Sam Walsh, the newest top selection, hasn't enjoyed that same benefit and his strong start has sparked all sorts of hyperbolic media coverage.

"It's not too bad. It was probably a bit more full-on the first year, (but) as you get into your second and third year there's a new No.1 draft pick and the attention goes to him," Rayner said. "But I think it's just something you have to get used to. "It kind of brings out the best in me, I reckon. It adds a bit more nerves and turns into a bit more energy and you kind of just thrive with that."
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Rayner: My life outside of the Lions (Anothony Wingard)
It was a Saturday afternoon in the middle of February – one of the last free weekends before the new AFL home and away season rolled around. Cam Rayner was sat perched by the banks of the Noosa River, joined by teammate Alex Witherden and a few more of the pair’s close friends. The group spent hours merely chatting – not about footy – and snacked on the cheese and cabana platter that lay before them.

For Rayner and Witherden, this wasn’t an anomaly. It was common practice. The pair frequently make the trip north to Noosa where they just escape, sometimes by doing nothing at all. Even since resuming preseason training following the Christmas break, Rayner had been to the same Airbnb at least four times. A cheese platter and good company is simply how Rayner unwinds, removing himself from the constant rigours of a professional footballer as he enters his sophomore season in the AFL.

“Being in Brisbane, you’re always in at the Club or always training so when you get those four-day breaks, the most important thing is to shut yourself down a little bit,” Rayner told aflq.com.au. “Even the other day, we probably sat there for about three hours doing nothing and just relaxed. “When you have the days off, it’s important to stay on the low.”

Despite his young age of just 19, Rayner appears different to many of the league’s younger contingent. While most might ponder what they can do to improve on the field while they’re away from the Club, the former number one draft pick almost makes it his mission to do exactly the opposite. And in doing so, Rayner hopes to unlock the secret to a long career in the sport.

“When I’m in here (at the Club), I’m dedicated and switched on but when I’m away from the Club I’m usually pretty care free. I usually just shut myself out from footy and try and like a bit of a normal life,” Rayner said. Noosa remains the preferred escape for both Rayner and Witherden if the time permits, it’s where they have developed a knack for paddling on either a kayak or stand up paddle board. The trip has become somewhat of a ritual for them and even more so when they’re joined by housemate Eric Hipwood – the ‘boss’ of the Sunshine Coast, according to Rayner.

But Rayner has other outlets too and in the 16 months of living in Queensland since being selected by the Lions in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, he’s learnt of the many hidden gems littered around the river city. One of those has seen him become the resident movie buff at the Gabba and with two cinemas in close proximity to his house, it’s easy to see why. So much is his love of the cinema, he frequents the local movie theatre as much as two times a week, watching everything from civil rights dramas to biopics. With tickets as little as $7, it’s a quick fix but the adoration for movies doesn’t stop at the local Cineplex. His favourite film of all time is the Star Wars series, which he still binges, admitting he has seen them ‘about a hundred times.’

While it may appear a near obsession on his behalf to distance himself from the sport during his downtime, it’s hard to argue that Rayner’s mindset isn’t achieving results. Despite the pressures that come with being the incumbent number one pick in the draft, Rayner flourished in his maiden season. He was one of only two rookies, the other being NAB Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson, to feature in all 22 of their team’s games and ranked fifth among all players aged under 20 in AFL Player Rating points per game.

He also picked up a NAB Rising Star Nomination in Round 15 and went on to finish seventh in the award last August, pipped by only a handful of his peers which included housemate Witherden who has almost mirrored Rayner’s off-field regime.

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After arriving at the Club, Rayner first stayed at Lions CEO Greg Swann’s house before moving in with former Lion Tom Bell. But following Jarryd Lyons arrival at the Club in early November, Rayner made the move to the vacant room with Hipwood and Witherden, left absent by Corey Lyons, who moved in with brother Jarryd.

Sharing a passion for cricket, the five of them have orchestrated a competitive series of backyard cricket, often dominated by the crafty ability of the Lyons brothers both at the crease and in the field. And while it may appear a game of backyard cricket is just another way for Rayner to unwind away from the Gabba, the competitive nature of five men in their early and mid-20s often results in an outcome far more intense. “When you take that wicket, there’s a little bit more feeling in it,” Rayner joked.

Rayner’s connections and relationships with many of his teammates speaks in large part to the culture developing at the AFL’s most northern Club, despite that temperament rarely translating to the backyard cricket pitch. While the team still boast the second youngest playing group, who also rank 17th in AFL experience, the 2019 playing list is full of of lively personalities who feel comfortable with one another while they continue to learn and develop.

Rayner himself has even noticed a difference in the perspective between his first and second year with the group. Questions from the media are often positioned more broadly, encapsulating the whole team instead of focussing on sole players as had been the case for many years prior. “This year, it has been more about the team and how the team was going,” he said. “I’d much rather talk about the team. Everyone now just wants to bring it back to the team which is awesome. It gives everyone a positive feel.”

Brisbane host the reigning premiers West Coast to kick off their Toyota AFL Premiership season this weekend. For the Lions, the opportunity to test themselves against the competition’s best is a gift from the AFL’s fixturing gods. “All of the boys are keen to crack into the season. I think we’re all pretty happy that we get to play West Coast at the Gabba,” he said. “Being the best team, we get to measure ourselves against them straight away.”

Yet while the focus is very much on the Lions’ season opener this Saturday night, Rayner can’t help but look a little further ahead to another fixture that players and fans alike are also anticipating. “Definitely the Collingwood game on the Thursday night.” “I think we’re starting to build a bit of a rivalry with Collingwood, especially from last year. “I think the boys will get up a little bit more for that game.”
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Stumbled across this article again. Have these figures ever been confirmed? Doesn't sound like something Noble would do.
“The first two years of a contract will be $100,000 a year – so he is $200,000 for two years minimum.
“Years three and four for Cam Rayner will be worth combined just under a million dollars – so you’ve gone from $100,000 a year to nearly $500,000 a year. That is simply because of two reasons – Brisbane don’t want him to go home and they have money to burn and they can afford it.”
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- Sam McClure in Jan 2018
 

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Alastair Lynch says Cam Rayner needs to drop weight to become a genuine midfield option (Anna Harrington)
One moment against the Suns underlined the quality of Cam Rayner.

The talented young Lion created something out of nothing, nudging his opponent off the ball before snapping a classy left-foot goal — his third for the afternoon. It was the type of manoeuvre that highlighted Rayner’s ability to be a genuine force up forward.

Interestingly, Lions champion Alastair Lynch said it was one of the weaknesses that prevented Rayner spending more time in the midfield that helped him become such a threat as a forward. “Well his deficiency to go into the middle is his power base, his big legs,” Lynch said on Fox Footy. “But that certainly is an asset when he’s in the goalsquare and can turn around his opponent — he’s got the strength to push off his opponent as well. “That’s a class goal.”

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Rayner booted three goals against the Suns, but had just 10 touches for the game. It just about summed up his season so far: Rayner has averaged just 9.8 disposals per game, along with 3.4 marks and 1.4 goals.

When he was taken as the No. 1 draft pick in the 2018 AFL Draft, Rayner was seen as an explosive prospect with the potential to make an impact both up front and through the midfield.

That said, Rayner’s endurance and running capacity has been the question mark over his As yet, he’s primarily developed up forward, with only minimal flashes through the midfield mix. Lynch said the 19-year-old needed to drop some weight and increase his running capacity if he hoped to have an impact through the midfield going forward.

“Three goals one (behind), Cam Rayner. Not a high possession player at this level at this stage,” Lynch said. “I think he’s going to be an explosive player, I think he’ll play midfield time. “I think he has to (lose weight). I think at this stage without being too harsh on the kid, I think he’s a heavy-set player. “And I think if he wants to evolve into more of a midfielder and have more impact in the midfield, he’s got to drop a few kilos. “That’ll come with training over the pre-season and being a professional athlete. “But he’s a player that’s got big legs — (he was compared to Dustin Martin) in the style of play. “He’s a very powerful player but I think he needs to get his running capacity up.”

Rayner is a player who doesn’t need a lot of the footy to make an impact — but there’s no doubt the Lions would love to see their young gun get a whole lot more of it.
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UNSUNG HEROES — ROUND 6
Brisbane: Cam Rayner

During the second term, when the Lions were unable to capitilise on their dominance, youngster Cam Rayner’s finishing skills proved vital to overcoming their cross-town rivals. While the 19-year-old only touched the footy 10 times, he twice kicked goals when his teammates were unable to convert, which wrestled the momentum back Brisbane’s way before a second-half blitz.
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Good article highlighting the differences between Rayner and De Goey at similar stages of their career.

I've probably been a tad harsh on Cam, primarily regarding his fitness, but this comparison provides perspective that he is tracking along pretty well.
 
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