AT ONE stage last year young Gold Coast Suns utility Clay Cameron was mentally and physically shattered.

Plagued by medical issues and injuries Cameron managed only six AFL games — and those were spread throughout a horror campaign for both club and player.

Cameron’s confidence was eroded. But the Calamvale Leopards junior, who arrived at the Suns through QAFL club Mt Gravatt, went on the front foot and after two rounds this year has cemented a place in the top 22.

He has been the bolter in the playing roster.

Cameron revealed that mind-cleansing sessions with a psychologist, being back to good health and a decent off-season campaign have worked wonders.

“I’ve done a lot of work with the psychologist, getting over last year’s poor performance and all that,” Cameron said.

“I needed to regain confidence. Every time something negative comes to the mind I just have to get rid of it.”

Given what he went through medically it is easy to understand why Cameron was in a rut.

“I had glandular fever and viral meningitis as well — I got the double,” he said of his post-2014 woes after nine games in his debut 2014 season.

“I’d done every session up until Christmas then straight after New Year I came down with viral meningitis.

“I had that for about four or five weeks, then I was back for a week then the glandular fever hit. It set up for an inconsistent season and I felt like I wasn’t fit at all.”

A shrewd move by coach Rodney Eade to play recognised defender Cameron in attack as well as defence has worked so far this year.

This versatility has worked in Cameron’s favour, says Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft.

“The key for Clay is that he’s playing a really important role for the team and he also brings flexibility,” Ashcroft said.

“At the moment he’s playing forward but if needed he can play down back or midfield.

“He brings that and he’s a real athlete so he’s able to run out games strongly — and he’s physically strong so he can play on a strong opponent and he’s also able to play full game minutes.

“I think last year because we had so many injuries and illnesses it was hard to know who was our best 22.

“But right now, when everyone’s available, Clay’s playing a role and is in our best 22.”