Reuniting with Toby Greene is the latest among several boosts for Jeremy Cameron after his injury-plagued AFL season.
The Geelong key forward said he had no regrets about nursing an ongoing arm problem through the year, saying he might have contemplated retirement had he sat out the season.
Cameron's right forearm remains in a protective splint, six weeks after his post-season surgery.
He said on Tuesday night the arm would be reassessed at 12 weeks. Cameron is running every second day and in high spirits.
Wife Indiana is expecting their second child in the next few weeks and Greene's decision to join Geelong as an unrestricted free agent means the former GWS teammates will share the same forward line again.
"To have a good mate come down gave me a lot of energy immediately. It got to a stage where I was concerned if he said no. In my head, I really believed it was going to be a good move for him," Cameron said.
"When the call came, it was great. The first thing he said was, 'You'd better get the arm right'. So that's on me, to hold up my end of the bargain."
Likewise, Cameron is rapt the Cats have brought in Essendon defender Jordan Ridley and St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall.
Cameron was speaking at a Melbourne promotion for Japanese brewer Sapporo, which involved eating the dangerous seafood delicacy fugu.
That is the Japanese word for puffer fish, which is highly poisonous if not prepared properly.
Cameron and other guests had to sign a form before they could try the fish, which he enjoyed.
According to the laid-back Cats forward, all this would be news to coach Chris Scott and the rest of the Geelong heirarchy.
"Signing a form on the way in is a little bit concerning - but I will back the chef in, he knows what he's doing," Cameron said.
"I haven't informed the club on this one ... but I'm not one to think about that beforehand."
Cameron and Greene are keen fishermen and are set to go halves on a "tinny" to indulge their hobby.
After the season he endured - a far cry from his All-Australian captaincy heights of 2025 - Cameron is rapt to have this latest surgery complete and to enjoy some downtime before his second child is born.
Cameron broke his forearm in last year's grand final loss to Brisbane, and there were regular complications from the original surgery until his latest operation.
He said he knew from the start 2026 would be a tough season.
"It was annoying, frustrating - more mentally challenging. I can put up with pain a fair bit - my wife would probably say different because I complain about it at home," he said.
"It was a challenge I was willing to take, with no pushback from the club. It wasn't going to get any worse, playing.
"You roll the dice. You win two, three more games, we win the flag and everyone would pat me on the back.
"I didn't want to watch on, at the ripe age of 33. If I had to watch the season I'd probably just hang them up."
Impending fatherhood also excites Cameron, although daughter Macey has one condition.
"I can't wait to not sleep again - I never thought I'd say that," he said.
"(Macey said) we're only allowed to have another sister, so I'm a little bit concerned if it's a boy."