CHARLIE Cameron might be one of the great small forwards of all-time, but Brisbane's master is not too proud to learn from the heir apparent, Hawthorn's Nick Watson.

Watson has had an incredible 2026, kicking 57 goals in 22 games to earn his first All-Australian blazer and become widely renowned as one of the most exciting players in the competition.

Ahead of the pair gracing the MCG at opposite ends in Saturday's preliminary final, Cameron said he was a fan of the man known as the 'Wizard'.

"He's a quality player," Cameron said on Tuesday.

"Something I admire about him is his ability to just get that front and centre, hit the packs pretty quick, and then has the composure to finish his work or set someone else up. 

"You take little learnings from him. I'm in my 13th year, and he's probably in his third year … I'm still learning off him and watching him. 

"He's a quality player, what he can do in the air, and then on the ground as well, and also his finishing work."

Cameron bounced back to his absolute best in Saturday night's semi-final rout of Adelaide, kicking five goals, to continue his own terrific season.

The 32-year-old has kicked 55 goals for the season – the fifth time he's topped the half century in his glittering career.

He now has 491 goals in total, including 58 in finals and trails only Lance Franklin for the most goals in September this century.

"I'm still learning," Cameron said.

"And I do download some stuff on my hard drive from the club and do my own coding just to help myself out and watch it at home. 

"So yeah, I do watch a lot of players around the league and what they do and learn off them."

Cameron said he was "embarrassed and disappointed" from his qualifying final performance against Sydney, where he went goalless from four disposals.

Following a "fierce" critique from coach Chris Fagan last week, Cameron and his fellow small forwards responded in the best way possible.

"I took a lot of confidence that we had the backing from the coaches and everyone at the club. 

"We got shown in the meetings that we weren't good enough, and I guess I put a price on it for the next week.

"I had a few people at the footy club just come up to me and back me in.

"Even 'Zorks' is like 'We know what your best is, what you're capable of, just bring the pressure and energy around the contest is key'.

"Just having the confidence of people backing you and understanding that I can still be at my best is … I understand what my best is, and just having that mindset and belief."