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

[Oraaaaazio]

WTF are some of you on about? Thought he competed well. Copped a knock early and kept fighting. I don’t attribute those goals to him (1 was kicked on Chom), it was a result of up the ground.

Thought he competed really well, spoilt well and blimey he can actually kick.

He was far from a downgrade from others who have played the second KPD this year, so if it were me I’d give him a run of games.

Agreed, had knee on knee contact in his first contest and pushed on. His foot skills and ability below his knees were strengths as a kid so I'm sure it'll become more noticeable as he gets more confidence at the level, has always done small man things well for a big guy after his growth spurt and I've seen improvement in his defensive work. He's only played about 15 games as a key defender. He was dropped from Leongatha's senior side for the 2023 grand final in the Gippsland Football League, has played 5 games of VFL footy since then and this week he's playing on Peter Wright who's now a pretty accomplished key forward, think that's pretty impressive in itself. He was beaten but not disgraced. It's not Zac Dawson on Rocca levels of being thrown to the wolves.

I don't think I'm alone in that I didn't expect him to play senior footy for a year or two. I also wouldn't have thought his confidence will be crushed by yesterday, he's not lacking in self belief - has a good attitude and clearly learning quickly. I think he'll be a player. He got caught out a couple of times on turnover but that can happen to any defender depending on where turnover happens & I felt like he had a real crack in the air, got some spoils in and he was certainly getting under 2MP's skin while the ball was up the other end, kept irritating with bumper bars and bumping, he didn't seem to go into his shell at all. Wheelo ratings (one of the advanced stats websites) had him down for 3 1 on 1 contests, no losses along with 10 pressure acts and 8 spoils.

 

[speedy]

I thought Wright got some silver service from his mids, penetrating kicks always to his advantage. Dawson could have started with better positioning but what do you expect from a 1st gamer?

 

[Zondor]

Should’ve gone head to head with Jones. Comben should’ve taken Wright. Bottom Line. Stiff on the kid first up. :stern look

 

[muttley45]

Will be much better for the experience, and, i predict, that when we get the DD's (both Dawson's) back there together, backline will be much more adaptable.

 

[amaz199]

Clarko giving him that confidence to take on Wright will be what takes Dawson to another level.

That encouragement and trust to keep Dawson on him for the entire game is what I love to see.

 

[Mighty Storm]

I can't believe any true North fan would lay into a first gamer coming into a truly terrible defence and side,pathetic.

 

[LeFtBehinD]

I can't believe any true North fan would lay into a first gamer coming into a ruly terrible defence and side,pathetic.

lol surely not, but then I'm not gonna read back and find out.

Thought it was a great first game and learning experience. What confidence to play him straight up on 2mPeter.

 

[Shinboner1]

Should’ve gone head to head with Jones. Comben should’ve taken Wright. Bottom Line. Stiff on the kid first up. :stern look

Said he was gonna go head to head with him in the presser

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Keep him in until Logue is ready to go.

 

[ferball]

Should’ve gone head to head with Jones. Comben should’ve taken Wright. Bottom Line. Stiff on the kid first up. :stern look

What was Brady thinking?

 

[Possession]

Clarko giving him that confidence to take on Wright will be what takes Dawson to another level.

That encouragement and trust to keep Dawson on him for the entire game is what I love to see.

This was some good stuff from Clarko. I was impressed with how Dawson went and his confidence will be fine.

 

[justroyal]

This was some good stuff from Clarko. I was impressed with how Dawson went and his confidence will be fine.

The constant nudges against Wright had me in two thoughts. Great work, what an absolute competitor. The other one was, smart of you to do it in front of the north cheer squad but you do realise they can’t help you if shit goes **** up?

 

[King Corey]

We only have one national draft selected young key position player on the list so within reason, makes sense to give him a bit of fast tracking.

 

[JGreezy]

So does he get Dixon this week?

 

[Caracas]

Hes another Comben. If they keep Chom back we'll have two snarling, pissed off 195+ cm defenders who hate getting beaten. There's 40% of the spine until 2037. Wardlaw in the centre makes 60%. Now we need forwards.

I think he’s got one big advantage over Comben right now. That is, he’s a natural in his position. Wil just oozes “full back” material. I love Comben. However, he still hasn’t nailed down his position. The way Dawson ran off his early injury just screamed “mongrel” and resilience. Resilience is not something we can tie to Charlie quite yet. It’s an early call but Wil just “looks the goods” on first viewing.

 

[Caracas]

So does he get Dixon this week?

100%.

 

[Del191229]

Just keep playing him and giving him big jobs.

Will being in meant Corr could play to his size and absolutely slaughtered Langford.

 

[koshari]

I think he’s got one big advantage over Comben right now. That is, he’s a natural in his position. Wil just oozes “full back” material. I love Comben. However, he still hasn’t nailed down his position. The way Dawson ran off his early injury just screamed “mongrel” and resilience. Resilience is not something we can tie to Charlie quite yet. It’s an early call but Wil just “looks the goods” on first viewing.

Got that gangley frame,

 

[Zondor]

What was Brady thinking?

If he could sign up the fuel nozzle guy on a 4 year contract. :stern look

 

[Devil Fish]

Corr, Dawson, Comben.

Not too shabby?

Embarrassment of riches at Arden St. Logue is suddenly redundant.

 

[ferball]

big jobs

Rude Kid likes this!

 

[ChairmanZia]

Keep him in until Logue is ready to go.

If anything, let logue to become the counterattacking defender whilst dawson and comben take on the key position.

 

[ChairmanZia]

Embarrassment of riches at Arden St. Logue is suddenly redundant.

Plus pink and bignoa.

I think these 2 needs to be retrained into fwd and 2nd ruck respective if they want to stay on the list.

 

[7577969923]

I think he’s got one big advantage over Comben right now. That is, he’s a natural in his position. Wil just oozes “full back” material. I love Comben. However, he still hasn’t nailed down his position. The way Dawson ran off his early injury just screamed “mongrel” and resilience. Resilience is not something we can tie to Charlie quite yet. It’s an early call but Wil just “looks the goods” on first viewing.

Different styles of players. Will might be a more traditional style full-back whereas as Charlie could become one of the very best intercept marking KPDs in the game.

 

[muttley45]

Looks to be a similar size to Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

28

Ht

200cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

, according to Footywire he is 201cm/86kg, Andrews 202cm/98kg, possibly still growing seeing he isn't even 19 yet, going to enjoy watching his development for sure.