Jordan Dawson is in rare form, and his teammates are “rallying” with him as the Crows turn their season up a notch.
And the incredibly admirable fact that he’s doing it in difficult personal circumstances means he’s in line to be this year’s Robert Rose Most Courageous Player.
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In Adelaide’s 57-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night, captain Dawson exploded for three opening-quarter goals to set the tone for the evening.
He finished with 32 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances, those three majors, three goal assists, six inside-50s and 570 metres gained, to be by far the highest-rated player on the ground.
“What a player he has become. I marvel at what he’s able to do with this group – his impact on this group,” dual flag-winner David King said on Fox Footy post-game.
“They (his teammates) love him. They genuinely love him. He’s been to hell and back this year, and you just feel this has created an emotion at this football club that they’re all attached to now.
“They’re all in. They’re all invested. They’re beautiful places, football clubs, when you’re going through some turmoil personally.
“They’ve rallied, and they are now rolling. That is a performance that says: ‘We can mix it with the best in the competition, in a year that’s still pretty open.”
The 29-year-old missed two games earlier in the campaign following the tragic passing of his brother in April, but in an inspirational show of courage and resilience, he’s since exerted his on-field influence massively.
Year-on-year, Dawson is winning more of the footy – 25.8 disposals – while he’s averaging an elite-rated 1.5 goals per game as a dual-threat weapon, en route to a likely All-Australian blazer.
“What he does, he brings a calmness to the group as well, I think. He’s got a real level head,” dual All-Australian Saint Leigh Montagna said on Thursday night.
“And he’s one of the greats of the game at the moment … he just does everything the team requires; it’s not just about him getting the ball and doing all the offensive things.
“He’s leading magnificently, and the rest of the team has jumped on board; jumped on his back and just followed him in.”
Crows coach Matthew Nicks added on Fox Footy post-game: “We couldn’t have asked for a better start … led by our captain – god, the form he’s in.
“He’s leading by example; I thought that (his first term) was one of the best quarters of footy I’ve seen.”
Dawson is capable of getting his hands dirty at the coalface, but he’s expanded his game as an outside damaging force while a couple of midfield sidekicks instead get busy in the contest.
“He doesn’t have to do it at clearance, because Berry’s doing the heavy-lifting (at contest), and he is the first guy to the outside of the pack, now. And this is where he does his damage,” King said.
Montagna added: “That’s the great blend … to have Berry and Peatling rolling the sleeves up, and he being this guy who can skirt around the outside to do maximum damage with ball in hand.
“It’s incredible, and it feels like he’s doing it easily. It just feels like he’s in autopilot at the moment; he’s in that flow state where the very best in any sport in the world are just … at the top of their game, and he is absolutely there right now.”
Dawson dominates Dogs in 1st half | 02:09
Meanwhile, Nicks made a reveal over his positional conundrum regarding Josh Rachele, whose impact in the forward half has been profound despite initial midfield plans for 2026.
Rachele booted four goals from 17 disposals in a sterling display against the Bulldogs, with Nicks quizzed on Fox Footy about the livewire’s role going forward.
“It’s such a hard one, because he played a couple of games as a midfielder this year where he was outstanding,” Nicks began.
“We know that (ability) sits there. We also love what he does ahead of the ball.
“And the balance of our team at the moment – with the way Jordan’s playing, the way Peatling’s playing, the way Sam Berry’s playing.
“We’re just going to continue to look at that balance. It’s a nice position to be in.”
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall suggested Rachele’s abilities as a pure forward were more precious than what he could potentially do as a ball-winner between the arcs.
“There are plenty of dominant midfielders around – you can find them. You can’t find these players that can turn something into something special up forward,” Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
“And having that ability to kick goals, to create goals, to look dangerous – I think they’re even more valuable than quality midfielders.”
Montagna concurred, adding: “And even when he was playing well, it wasn’t necessarily helping the team – they weren’t playing their best footy.
“I think it looks better with him forward of centre. And now, with Rankine coming back next week, and Dawson in the form he’s in who can do it forward and in the midfield.
“It’s starting to give Nicks some chess pieces that he can manoeuvre and have a look at, and find out the best mix, getting ready for September.”