Crows captain Jordan Dawson shares he has always remained optimistic of September footy

Crows skipper Jordan Dawson has revealed the optimism he’s remained of the Crows’ September chances since he became captain, even through the struggling years.

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson says he had maintained optimism the team could make a September charge ever since becoming captain.

“As skipper, I’ve always had belief in the group and where we could go,” said Dawson of a team that finished 10th and 15th during his first two seasons at the helm.

“That hasn’t actually wavered at all.

“I’ve always thought no matter who we were playing we could get the job done no matter where it is.

“Maybe a younger guy might have a different thought around that.”

But Dawson would not be drawn on whether he felt the side, sitting third on the ladder with five games left, including Saturday night’s Showdown, could do something special this season.

“I’m not going to throw anything out there,” he said, off the back of the Crows’ fourth consecutive win.

Jordan Dawson has maintained the faith in the Crows group. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think we’ve got a great group and I’m really confident with the way we play our footy, and the way we go about it.

“Obviously we’ve been pretty fortunate – touch wood – with injuries and guys in the SANFL playing really good footy, and obviously guys at AFL level playing awesome footy.”

Nor would the midfielder bite on Port Adelaide ruckman Jordon Sweet saying the Power hoped to “derail what they’re doing” with a win.

“He can say whatever he wants,” Dawson said.

“We’re just going to go out there and focus on our process.”

Adelaide moved to within one win of ladder-leading Collingwood when it beat the Suns on Sunday, not long after the Magpies’ loss to Fremantle.

Dawson did not think the Crows would start talking about finals internally until the end of the minor round.

“Obviously you look at it (the ladder) but as we’ve said all year, we just focus on the next week,” he said.

“They obviously don’t get much bigger than Showdown week.”

Defender Mitch Hinge remains in doubt for Saturday night’s clash because of a corked hip that forced him to be substituted in the victory over the Suns.

“It’s in an awkward area around his hip,” Adelaide high-performance boss Darren Burgess said.

“He was pretty sore yesterday, he’s improving today and we’ll see what he can do for the rest of the week.

Jordon Butts spent six nights in a Melbourne hospital. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We’re thinking he’ll be available, but we’ll see how he comes up.”

The returns of key defender Jordon Butts (punctured lung) and forward Josh Rachele (knee) were still without timelines.

Butts is back in Adelaide after spending six nights in a Melbourne hospital and being driven back home.

“The good news is he can start to do some light activity, some running around, some ball work and strength work,” Burgess said.

Rachele is expected to have his leg brace removed by early next week.

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee will be assessed ahead of the game after missing Saturday’s loss to Hawthorn in Launceston with a fractured hand.

Originally published as Crows captain Jordan Dawson shares he has always remained optimistic of September footy