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

[Orange Peanut]

Wil Dawson

Last 10 players to wear No.18
Hugh Greenwood (2022-23) 35 games
Shaun Atley (2011-21) 234 games
Josh Smith (2008-10) 11 games
Brad Moran (2006-07) 3 games
Wayne Carey (1990-2001) 240 games
Jamie Stevenson (1988-89) 6 games
Robert Saggers (1986) 3 games
Grant Thomas (1984) 7 games
Peter Jonas (1981-84) 33 games
Mario Turco (1980) 2 games

Wil Dawson is Shinboner No.1065
Player 65 – Frank Coutts (1928) 4 games
Player 165 – Frank Morgan (1932) 2 games
Player 265 – Laurie Davies (1940) 9 games
Player 365 – Ted Bourke (1946-47) 5 games
Player 465 – Brian O’Halloran (1955-58) 9 games
Player 565 – Frank Pomeroy (1964) 10 games
Player 665 – Brad Smith (1974-75) 24 games
Player 765 – Doug Koop (1985-86) 5 games
Player 865 – Jason McCartney (1998-2003) 107 games
Player 965 – Cameron Richardson (2011) 8 games

Alphabetically he comes between
Mark Dawson (1972-78) 59 games
Dick Day (1943) 2 games

Last 10 Wils/Wills/Bills/Billys & Williams to play for North
Will Phillips (2021- ) 35 games
Will Walker (2018-20) 6 games
Billy Hartung (2018) 13 games
Will Sierakowski (2013) 7 games
Bill Berry (1984-85) 12 games
Bill Nettlefold (1976-79) 51 games
Bill Nunn (1971-73) 24 games
Bill Serong (1962) 16 games
Bill McCabe (1957-59) 13 games
Bill Barton (1955-56) 2 games

All W.D. initials to play for North
Wolfgang Dietrich (1970) 5 games

Never skip Dick Day.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

So excited to watch him play, but feel like his debut is a little earlier than it needs to be.

Nonetheless I know he has that competitive edge that will hold him in good stead no matter what level he plays.

Get em big shotgun!

 

[Luke72]

Anyone able to explain the nickname?

 

[Samsquanch]

Woodchoppers - " Axemen, ready...1....2...."

Oi!

Western district is still #1

 

[DunderHead]

Good to see him playing his first game this week, just wonder with him in if anyone sees pink going up forward

Hoping we don’t get a tall as the sub too. Have a feeling Ford will sub (or Pink again?)

 

[Samsquanch]

Good effort by Bill Berry to sneak in a dozen games before heading back to record Life's Rich Pageant.

But fitting for him to get a mention on the weekend when we play *

Bill was brought into the side to play * at Arden St at the time when Paul Salmon had booted a few successive handfuls. When we got to the ground there was a buzz circulating that big Bill was going to belt Salmon and that the club was OK with this and any suspensions that occurred. The * supporters in the outer were shitting themselves that this was true and it really did seem like the story got to the team as well. Salmon wasn't anywhere near as influential as he had been over the past few weeks.

Didn't see much of Bill after that but I do think he earned his place as a North Melbourne legend just because he put so much wind up the * crowd.

Whoever spread the rumour is also a legend.

 

[Marstermind]

Never skip Dick Day.

It's unfortunate for Wil Dawson that he comes just before Dick Day.

 

[SunnyBoner]

Why is he called Shotgun? Is this another Clarko inspired nickname?

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

Why is he called Shotgun? Is this another Clarko inspired nickname?

I'm guessing it's Clarko as it's a shortened form of an old-school nickname for someone who is tall and skinny - hey Will, you look like a shotgun pull-through.

 

[muttley45]

This package shows him playing forward a bit and kicking some nice goals. Any chance he plays there against * ?

Seeing as Clarko mentioned 2m Peter, and Stringer as possible opponents, probably not, but he may have bluffing i suppose, by the way, Dawson didn't look in the least bit fazed when Clarko told him that, even had a bit of grin, liked it.

 

[ansonholt]

Seeing as Clarko mentioned 2m Peter, and Stringer as possible opponents, probably not, but he may have bluffing i suppose, by the way, Dawson didn't look in the least bit fazed when Clarko told him that, even had a bit of grin, liked it.

The kid seems to have enormous self-belief. Akin to what Chom has. You can see it on the field. His body isn't there yet, but it will be. Already I can see that he'll be an excellent pickup for us. Looking forward to seeing what he does tomorrow.

 

[domiroo]

Release the HOUNDS !!!!

 

[Disco Dew]

But all wood choppers are gippslanders…

Chopping wood in honour of this conversation.

 

[andana]

The kid seems to have enormous self-belief. Akin to what Chom has. You can see it on the field. His body isn't there yet, but it will be. Already I can see that he'll be an excellent pickup for us. Looking forward to seeing what he does tomorrow.

Also seems to be a team first player.
Hopefully is someone who we can build the future backline around

 

[giantroo]

 

[leighlee13]

Ben still manages to bring a tear to my eye. What a player but what a man.

 

[Roostorm]

Nice to see cunners venture down from the bool to present the jumper…club does well in this aspect of the game.
Go well big will …give em hell.

 

[leighlee13]

Nice to see cunners venture down from the bool to present the jumper…club does well in this aspect of the game.
Go well big will …give em hell.

Wouldn't have hesitated when asked. Bleeds blue and white.

 

[Roostorm]

Wouldn't have hesitated when asked. Bleeds blue and white.

I know he probably won’t coach…but geez he speaks from the heart. …imagine George, Powell, ect sitting chatting and learning from him….who knows…….and it’s nice to see him back there…

 

[jay317]

I thought he was supposed to be athletic? Looks like he's stuck in mud whenever the ball is around.

 

[SheezNuts]

Looks slow and lumbering

 

[Chadwiko]

Not AFL-ready.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

He is cracking in, but it’s obvious he isn’t ready. Especially against a 102kg Peter Wright.

Good learning curve for him.

 

[billnats]

He’s 18 years old playing against an in form team delivering the ball on a platter to his direct match up.

Not much you can do.

Good to see him battle through

 

[cybercrab]

Hasn't been too bad, got better as the game has gone on