SuperCoach: Sydney defender Jordan Dawson is starting to translate his big NEAFL numbers to the top-level

In the lead-up to the launch of the AFL SuperCoach team-picker, The Phantom looks at five players who could breakout in 2020. Is a 22-year-old Croweater the Swans’ next stat king?

• The next crop of SuperCoach Cash Cows
• 5 surprise DPPs who should be on your radar

Two years ago, with one senior game to his name, a young Swan arrived for day one of pre-season, as he put it, “a bit too fat”.

Fast forward 24 months and a 22-year-old Jordan Dawson crossed the line first in the club’s opening two 2km time trials of the 2019 campaign.

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SuperCoach Next Step Series 2020

PART 1: Chayce Jones - The Crow set for a midfield spike

PART 2: Hunter Clark - The Saint ready to make his run

PART 3: Andrew Brayshaw- The Docker exciting new coach Justin Longmuir

FRIDAY: Is the next JPK ready to breakout at the Suns?

He’s fit and full of confidence after finding his place – and cementing it – across halfback in Sydney’s best 22 last season.

But, he didn’t just cement it.

The versatile Dawson, who ranked in the top-10 at the Swans for a number of key areas in the second-half of the year, is now one of John Longmire’s most-important players,

“We know he can play any position now that he’s got that confidence,” Longmire said late last season.

“He’s an important player wherever we play him.”

2020 POSITIONS REVEALED: All the big moves

After the Swans’ bye, despite two stints forward in Rounds 19 and 22, Dawson spent 77 per cent of game-time in defence and ranked second at the club for effective kicks, fourth for metres gained and ninth for disposals, uncontested possessions and handball-receives.

And the long-kicking left-footer booted seven goals and scored 93 points or more in six of the final nine matches of the year, four of them SuperCoach tons.

Jordan Dawson winning Sydney’s 2km time trial on the full squad’s first day of pre-season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Dawson’s 94 points per game, on the back of 20 disposals, 11 effective kicks and six intercept possessions, was the sixth-highest of any Swan from Round 14 onwards.

And how were the former Sturt junior’s numbers in the NEAFL while he was fighting for a spot in the senior side?

Well, how much time do you have?

Dawson played 15 matches for the Swans reserves in 2017 and averaged a huge 136 SuperCoach points per game - the second-most of any player to make five appearances or more.

The 192cm Croweater averaged 28 disposals, 10 score involvements, seven groundball-gets, five clearances, five tackles and one score assist per game.

And – I told you this might take a while – 2.5 goals per game from the midfield.

In fact, Dawson’s 34 goals saw him finish sixth on the competition’s goalkicking table.

He played seven NEAFL games the following year and averaged 23 disposals, nine tackles, seven score involvements and 127 points per match.

Jordan Dawson and Robbie Fox tackle Zac Foot at Sydney’s pre-season training. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The last two prolific Swans who were made to bide their time in the NEAFL by Longmire were Tom Mitchell and Nic Newman.

And, like Mitchell and Newman, who are now at Hawthorn and Carlton respectively, Dawson is starting to show his numbers translate to the top level.

JORDAN DAWSON

2020 position: Forward/defender

Estimated price: $470,000

The Phantom’s predicted 2020 average: 100

2019

Disposals (avg): 19

SuperCoach (avg): 86

2018

Disposals: 12

SuperCoach: 60

2017

Disposals: 10

SuperCoach: 32

CAN WE START HIM?

A dual-position statistical beast, who is a chance to push a three-figure average, despite a sub-$500k price tag? Yes, please.

Originally published as SuperCoach: Sydney defender Jordan Dawson is starting to translate his big NEAFL numbers to the top-level