Inside the ‘frightening’ rise of AFL’s newest superstar

Less than two years after joining a new club, this Adelaide star is fast becoming one of the most damaging players in the league.

Jordan Dawson of the Crows. Picture: Michael Klein

Jordan Dawson arrived at Adelaide 18 months ago as a highly-rated rebounding defender with one of the AFL’s most polished kicks.

Now, he’s the Crows’ captain inspiring a shock surge — and a “complete player”, according to a teammate, thanks to a shrewd coaching move.

Dawson on Thursday night starred as a midfielder for the third consecutive week. He finished with 32 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 contested possessions, 10 inside 50s, nine tackles and seven clearances in Adelaide’s 56-point thrashing of Carlton.

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Just as importantly, Dawson helped set the tone for his side during its eight-goal opening-quarter blitz, racking up 13 disposals for the term.

“He’s a complete player,” Crows teammate Reilly O’Brien told foxfooty.com.au post-game on Thursday night.

“He’s got his inside work going. He’s added that to his game in the midfield to go with his ball use, which is just unbelievable. But then he also has the ability to pressure opposition and attack the ball as good as anyone.

“Probably the thing that stands out is his will to win. He’s a super competitive guy and he just wants team success. Ever since he got here, it’s really stood out. He gets pretty p***ed off watching other teams win and go well, so he just drives the group and does everything he can to drive the group to be a winning team and, I guess, win premierships.”

Dawson is tearing the league apart. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Crows in 2021 gave up a first-round pick to acquire Dawson, who arrived at the club as one of the league’s most versatile flankers. But few Adelaide fans would’ve predicted the left-footer to become their next star on-baller, which has come to fruition across the club’s past three wins

Few, if any, big-bodied midfielders in the competition can win the hard ball on the inside and be just as effective and influential with their pinpoint disposal on the outside. But Dawson can do that – and more.

“The reason ‘Daws’ is in there was really to complete our game,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks told reporters post-game. “We had some issues in the first couple of rounds in particular areas and Jordan moving was more about those issues. I don’t want to go into too much detail on that, but we’ve improved our intercept game out of sight … Jordy has a lot to do with that.

“He’s a very balanced player, very aware, sees the game, plays ahead of the game and he’s an on-field leader. So a position for him in the midfield allows him to do that at another level than what he does when he’s behind the ball.”

Hand up if you’re playing unstoppable footy. Pic: Michael Klein

Former captain Rory Sloane has also spent more time on the ball in recent weeks, adding to the different midfield dynamic at Adelaide.

 “We’ve had a bit more experience through that midfield and it’s been awesome,” O’Brien said. “We haven’t given our opponents clean exits out of stoppage, we’re winning the ball a lot more around there.

“Daws, I mean some of his inside 50 entries tonight in that first quarter were just amazing. He’s just gone from strength to strength. He’s such a good player to have in there.”

Jordan Triple Coleman Medallist Jason Dunstall said it was “frightening” how efficiently Dawson delivers the ball by foot.

“How are you going to get him out of the midfield when he’s playing like this? You can’t possibly move him,” Dunstall told Fox Footy.

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna added: “He really set that game up.”

“You want the ball in his hands. They are looking for him and when he gets it, something good happens nearly every time.”

The Crows are flying. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Asked if he was in the All-Australian mix, Montagna said: “Oh 100 per cent. That’s three weeks in a row you could argue he’s been best on ground. That’s red-hot form.”

O’Brien said Dawson was leading a harmonious group who’ve shown strong defensive improvement.

“Our forward line at the moment is just so potent. It’s just awesome having weapons like ‘Fog’ (Darcy Fogarty), ‘Filthy’ (Riley Thilthorpe), ‘Tex’ (Taylor Walker), ‘Rash’ (Josh Rachele), ‘Ranks’ (Izak Rankine) and then even guys like ‘Murph’ (Lachie Murphy) and ‘Neddy’ (Ned McHenry) – it’s been awesome. They’re clicking really well and putting big scores on the board,” O’Brien said.

“But probably the thing that’s really improved in the last couple of weeks that’s won us the game has been our defence. We’ve kept teams to low scores – that’s been the big focus.

“Tonight I think our defenders were awesome. They’ve got a great forward line with Curnow and McKay down there and plenty of dangerous small forwards, but they just did an awesome job. They saved us a few times.

“The whole team, it’s feeling really good at the moment.”

Originally published as Inside the ‘frightening’ rise of AFL’s newest superstar