Player Watch #18: Wil 'Shotgun' Dawson - Extends to end of 2026

[guapo]

I’d be happy to see him get a run. Just as capable as anyone else in our back 6 and not like he would be replacing anyone of any substance


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[zoomba23]

I’d be happy to see him get a run. Just as capable as anyone else in our back 6 and not like he would be replacing anyone of any substance


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You still need to be physically ready. He isn't. It's not just a matter of talent and/or potential

 

[LB2Snake]

Gotta be patient with this one. He’s gunna be a ripper.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Gotta be patient with this one. He’s gunna be a ripper.

 

[the big lebowski]

Need to look after his body. 200cm 18 year olds are fragile

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Need to look after his body. 200cm 18 year olds are fragile

While I tend to agree, I definitely wouldn’t mention the word “fragile” around Will

 

[DunderHead]

Wouldn’t be fair to throw him straight into AFL. If he’s smashing VFL then give him a game but for the moment you’d think being in an AFL environment and playing state games against men will be enough of a development leap.

 

[guapo]

What a bunch of conservatives you guys are.

The kid is an elite intercept mark. His got a heap of determination and thirst for the challenge. He’s 15kg heavier than Bergman, and he’s not that much lighter than Jake Lever

8

Jake Lever

Age

28

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.6

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

4.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

242.0

4star

D

9.6

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

3.1

2star

M

3.9

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

145.4

3star

D

16.0

4star

K

11.0

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

6.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

189.8

4star

or our very own Chalky Combden. Has played quite a number of minutes on Souv during intraclub games.
Not suggesting he’s round 1 ready, but he could just as easily play 3rd defender in the ones as 1st or 2nd defender in the VFL.


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[marklovesbeer]

What a bunch of conservatives you guys are.

The kid is an elite intercept mark. His got a heap of determination and thirst for the challenge. He’s 15kg heavier than Bergman, and he’s not that much lighter than Jake Lever or our very own Chalky Combden. Has played quite a number of minutes on Souv during intraclub games.
Not suggesting he’s round 1 ready, but he could just as easily play 3rd defender in the ones as 1st or 2nd defender in the VFL.


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[King Corey]

What a bunch of conservatives you guys are.

The kid is an elite intercept mark. His got a heap of determination and thirst for the challenge. He’s 15kg heavier than Bergman, and he’s not that much lighter than Jake Lever or our very own Chalky Combden. Has played quite a number of minutes on Souv during intraclub games.
Not suggesting he’s round 1 ready, but he could just as easily play 3rd defender in the ones as 1st or 2nd defender in the VFL.


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The only team he could handle the 2nd or 3rd forward for would be us.

And that's assuming he's lucky enough to score a CCJ or Taylor.

Zurhaar, Curtis or Ford would tie him in knots.

And that's the 17th side..

Needs time.

 

[the big lebowski]

View attachment 1907950

I crashed the car shortly after that

 

[nj23]

What a bunch of conservatives you guys are.

The kid is an elite intercept mark. His got a heap of determination and thirst for the challenge. He’s 15kg heavier than Bergman, and he’s not that much lighter than Jake Lever or our very own Chalky Combden. Has played quite a number of minutes on Souv during intraclub games.
Not suggesting he’s round 1 ready, but he could just as easily play 3rd defender in the ones as 1st or 2nd defender in the VFL.


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Fair shout. Just checked and geelong’s de Koning was about 87kg in 2022.

 

[JGreezy]

The only team he could handle the 2nd or 3rd forward for would be us.

And that's assuming he's lucky enough to score a CCJ or Taylor.

Zurhaar, Curtis or Ford would tie him in knots.

And that's the 17th side..

Needs time.

He needs time but I think that time is a little shorter than I expected on draft day.

I was thinking that he might start to get a game in the 2nd half of 2025 or early 2026.

Now I think that timeline has moved forward 12 months. I wouldn't be shocked if, after a good run in the vfl, he gets a game late in 2024 or very early in 2025.

 

[shinboner magic]

The only team he could handle the 2nd or 3rd forward for would be us.

And that's assuming he's lucky enough to score a CCJ or Taylor.

Zurhaar, Curtis or Ford would tie him in knots.

And that's the 17th side..

Needs time.

Could potentially match up on a young KPF like Cadman or third tall like Gunston

 

[Waynesworld]

Could potentially match up on a young KPF like Cadman or third tall like Gunston

As much as I see his potential, Gunston would kick a bag on him right now.

 

[My Left Foote]

As much as I see his potential, Gunston would kick a bag on him right now.

I'm not so sure about that, Gunston is nowhere near the player he once was.

 

[shintemaster]

He needs time but I think that time is a little shorter than I expected on draft day.

I was thinking that he might start to get a game in the 2nd half of 2025 or early 2026.

Now I think that timeline has moved forward 12 months. I wouldn't be shocked if, after a good run in the vfl, he gets a game late in 2024 or very early in 2025.

He looks a very likely type, a taster or two late in the year would be great. He's not Bergman size but we also want to avoid a repeat of that and miss games which will then impact into next year as well and pre season / training for 2025. I'd take a guaranteed full 2024 VFL season over 1-2 AFL games if I had to choose now.

 

[king of the road]

Doubt he’d have the endurance to play a full game at AFL level.
Oppo would exploit him big time.

 

[Shermanator]

Yeah I like this kid, think he has a Harris-Andrews type future ahead of him.

 

[Sphynx]

The 2022 vs 2023 draft is going to be an interesting battle in a few years.

Sheez, GW, George, Harvey

vs

McKercher, Duursma, Dawson, Goad & Hardeman.


Dawson and Goad loom as the big tie breakers.


We've absolutely smashed the last two drafts imo and on all viewings in AFL environments.

 

[My Left Foote]

The 2022 vs 2023 draft is going to be an interesting battle in a few years.

Sheez, GW, George, Harvey

vs

McKercher, Duursma, Dawson, Goad & Hardeman.


Dawson and Goad loom as the big tie breakers.

The fact that you've listed 9 players, half of our starting 18, bodes very well for our future if they all reach their full potential. I'm hoping we look back on these 2 drafts in a few years and all agree that they helped change the trajectory of the club.

 

[Heaps of fun]

The fact that you've listed 9 players, half of a starting 18, bodes very well for our future if they all reach their full potential. I'm hoping we look back on these 2 drafts in a few years and all agree that they helped change the trajectory of the club.

If Harvey turns into a 30 goal a year forward for us and just two of Hardeman, Dawson and Goad lock down roles in the side we'll be sitting very sweet. I reckon we know what we're getting with Sheezel, Wardlaw and McKercher going forward. George and Duursma the two with massive ceilings but from this point it's close to impossible to tell what they'll do at the top level.

 

[My Left Foote]

If Harvey turns into a 30 goal a year forward for us and just two of Hardeman, Dawson and Goad lock down roles in the side we'll be sitting very sweet. I reckon we know what we're getting with Sheezel, Wardlaw and McKercher going forward. George and Duursma the two with massive ceilings but from this point it's close to impossible to tell what they'll do at the top level.

It sure beats the days of hoping that Ryan Clarke, Mitch Hibberd, Corey Wagner & Declan Mountford can become half-decent footballers.

 

[the big lebowski]

The 2022 vs 2023 draft is going to be an interesting battle in a few years.

Sheez, GW, George, Harvey

vs

McKercher, Duursma, Dawson, Goad & Hardeman.


Dawson and Goad loom as the big tie breakers.


We've absolutely smashed the last two drafts imo and on all viewings in AFL environments.

Agreed.

Also consider 2021 with Goater and Curtis.

And 2020 with Philips, Powell, Lazzaro and ford

 

[Amicalola]

Agreed.

Also consider 2021 with Goater and Curtis.

And 2020 with Philips, Powell, Lazzaro and ford

With some luck, 2020 will end up being very competitive, yeah.