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

[speedy]

This guy becomes perhaps the most important piece in the rebuild. If he can fill out and perform well up forward then most of the pieces (minus small forward) will be in place.

Yeah, was really keen to see how he goes today. Except for one contested mark in the goal square he has been well beaten. Hopefully he rips it up in the second half.

 

[marklovesbeer]

I’ve obviously missed some news along the way. They’re trialling him up forward this weekend?

Has he ever played forward?

Also, is this being done because of how good Chom has gone.

Imagine if both of them can play forward & back well & in 18 months time at any given moment Clarko could just switch them over mid game & completely **** with the opposition.

 

[muttley45]

Looked like he got through his first game back ok, 5 marks, and a goal well done son.

 

[Handsome.B.Wonderful]

I’ve obviously missed some news along the way. They’re trialling him up forward this weekend?

Has he ever played forward?

Also, is this being done because of how good Chom has gone.

Imagine if both of them can play forward & back well & in 18 months time at any given moment Clarko could just switch them over mid game & completely **** with the opposition.

Add in Logue who has shown he can play forward and back at Freo.

 

[the big lebowski]

He’s just a massive lump of a kid.

 

[Fart Cummings]

I just cant imagine how big he will be when hes 24

 

[roos_fanatic08]

He’s just a massive lump of a kid.

It’s surprised me how much he has filled out already, going to be a giant in another 2/3 preseasons

 

[PokerRoo]

And i think he looks quite good up forward. He is only 18, so has a lot of growing and learning to do. At his size, if he can learn the craft a bit more will def be an option up forward

 

[The Maestro]

People talk about trading or drafting a key forward and that player may very well already be on our list.

If Will develops like we expect him to, we’ve got options with either Charlie or Will to partner Larkey.

A 200cm goal kicker who can take a contested mark :wow:

 

[tazaa]

Playing as a forward and whilst he presented clearly a defender.
A luxury we can afford

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

played mostly back and in the ruck in the second half on the weekend. A far more natural back man.

 

[muttley45]

played mostly back and in the ruck in the second half on the weekend. A far more natural back man.

Nice effort for the spoil just before that tackle too

 

[the big lebowski]

played mostly back and in the ruck in the second half on the weekend. A far more natural back man.

Yeah, it was chalk and cheese with him up forward. Just didn’t seem like he knew what to do, where to go.

 

[andana]

He looks like a natural.
Nothing like putting someone with a shoulder injury into the ruck. "Toughen up"

 

[BlueandWhiteinmyBlood]

Could he come in for pink this week?

 

[shinboner magic]

This guy is a footballer and smashes campaigners - still 18

 

[r00boy96]

He's huge, can't believe he's the youngest player in the AFL. He's been eating all Stepho and Scotty's rations at the club by the looks

 

[roos_fanatic08]

He's huge, can't believe he's the youngest player in the AFL. He's been eating all Stepho and Scotty's rations at the club by the looks

He’ll have to do better than a juice box and 12 chickpeas per day.

 

[Psicosis]

Let’s drop the key forward experiment, he’s going to be a ️ KPD, leave him there please.

 

[viccles]

Hopefully a permanent fixture in the AFL team next year

 

[DuckYeah]

Clarko called me shotgun, im offended, pay me money

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Been rucking a lot the past month. 18 hitouts and 10 tackles today. 27 tackles in total over the past 4 weeks.

Had a good first year for a raw young tall thrown everywhere to support the team. Definitely a backman first and needs to beef up (already much thicker) a fair bit more, but he’s definitely going to be a player.

 

[giantroo]

KANGAS TO LOCK IN YOUNG PAIR​

NORTH Melbourne is set to lock away two more key parts of its defensive future, with the Kangaroos closing on deals for first-round selections Wil Dawson and Riley Hardeman.

The pair were taken at picks No.22 and 23 respectively last year, meaning they each earned the standard two-year draftee contracts, though North Melbourne is close to securing agreements to extend each by an extra season.

It will take Dawson and Hardeman through until 2026, which is when the club's remaining three first-round picks from last year in Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma and Taylor Goad are due to fall out of contract for the first time.

McKercher, Duursma and Goad all earned initial three-year deals due to being top-20 picks.


Dawson, a 201cm key defender, has played three senior games this season but has shown glimpses of his immense athletic potential in the VFL throughout his maiden year at Arden Street.

Hardeman, a rebounding 184cm half-back, has also broken through for three AFL appearances but is another the club holds in high regard as it looks ahead to its bright future.

Their impending extensions will ensure North Melbourne keeps it talented young core together and will follow the recent re-signings of George Wardlaw (2026), Bailey Scott (2026), Charlie Comben (2027), Paul Curtis (2028), Nick Larkey (2029), Tristan Xerri (2029), Cam Zurhaar (2029) and Harry Sheezel (2030). – Riley Beveridge

 

[muttley45]

KANGAS TO LOCK IN YOUNG PAIR​

NORTH Melbourne is set to lock away two more key parts of its defensive future, with the Kangaroos closing on deals for first-round selections Wil Dawson and Riley Hardeman.

The pair were taken at picks No.22 and 23 respectively last year, meaning they each earned the standard two-year draftee contracts, though North Melbourne is close to securing agreements to extend each by an extra season.

It will take Dawson and Hardeman through until 2026, which is when the club's remaining three first-round picks from last year in Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma and Taylor Goad are due to fall out of contract for the first time.

McKercher, Duursma and Goad all earned initial three-year deals due to being top-20 picks.


Dawson, a 201cm key defender, has played three senior games this season but has shown glimpses of his immense athletic potential in the VFL throughout his maiden year at Arden Street.

Hardeman, a rebounding 184cm half-back, has also broken through for three AFL appearances but is another the club holds in high regard as it looks ahead to its bright future.

Their impending extensions will ensure North Melbourne keeps it talented young core together and will follow the recent re-signings of George Wardlaw (2026), Bailey Scott (2026), Charlie Comben (2027), Paul Curtis (2028), Nick Larkey (2029), Tristan Xerri (2029), Cam Zurhaar (2029) and Harry Sheezel (2030). – Riley Beveridge

Good, now play them both v Hawks

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Good, now play them both v Hawks

With our injuries, we will have to.