An OPEN and SINCERE Apology to Zac Dawson

[Big Ted]

I’m sorry ...

There you go, I have said it.

I didn’t have faith in you and your ability and I guess I just missed Maxie Hudghton too much.

I have been outspoken, unfair and ridiculous to criticise you the way I have. I hope you take this apology and run with it this weekend. I am humble and I can not wait to see you have a premiership medal around your neck.

You were outstanding on Barry Hall two weeks ago, you got in his face, didn’t back down and took him on one on one.

You dominated Travis Cloke last weekend and put your body on the line. You may still look ungainly, out of position and give away a lot of expirence, but our defensice back six would not operate as smoothly without you in it.

Your guts and courage to take the opposition on has inspired me. (Say Hello to Didak for us if you crunch him again this week!!)

You seek no fanfare and just do the job that is handed too you.

Thankyou Zac and lets go Sainters this Saturday !!

 

[Kildonan]

Zac has played 56 career games and yet has the poise of a senior player.
How good is he going to be in, say, three years ???

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Zac has played 56 career games and yet has the poise of a senior player.
How good is he going to be in, say, three years ???

Even next year Big K. Once he puts on the 5 kg's of muscle he lost, he will dominate opposition forwards.

 

[Fehring]

Props, Big Ted.

You're right about him balancing the backline - we looked most vulnerable this year when Zac was out. It's often been his absence that has proved how valuable he is, but in the past two weeks his value has been in plain sight for all to see.

For more quarters, Zac Attack.

 

[paul of tuval]

I have staunchly defended him since he showed his worth last year. Supported him over Maxie last year and see him as much a permanent part of the team as any other player, but I hadn't figured that he's only played 56 games. That makes the vitriol that has been thrown against him even less justified. Some Saints fans just have to have a whipping boy

 

[Special88]

Well done mate! Very big of you to admit you were wrong like that I have defended Zac constantly all year to family and friends and anyone who brings it up here or otherwise..... His still learning his trade even now and will be a beauty for another 8 or so years for us.... Yet to turn my Dad into a believer but another big one may do it

 

[saintsownthedome]

The coaching staff (who have guided the club to 40 wins and two draws in the past two seasons) are with these players for six days a week, 48 weeks of the year, and yet we constantly hear 'supporters' in the crowd bagging Dawson, Raph Clarke etc.

Rather than apologising, just accept that you don't have the knowledge that the coaches do, stop abusing certain players, and enjoy Saints footy.

 

[Plugger35]

I must admit I had my doubts about Zac's place in the team after some ordinary form earlier this year but he has been great so far in the finals, particularly the last two games.

His big hit on Didak was one of the highlights of the GF, really set the tone.

 

[Hammers_Saints]

His goalsaving spoil/smother when Bakes got caught out was also a great effort.

He looks awkward and I worry when we kick the ball to him but if he plays like that again then we have a chance

 

[Murraj1966]

I echo the sentiments of the OP.

Sorry Zac

 

[CHBench]

Not gonna lie, I worry when the ball is in the Zac's vicinity.

 

[arthur66]

I’m sorry ...

There you go, I have said it.

I didn’t have faith in you and your ability and I guess I just missed Maxie Hudghton too much.

I have been outspoken, unfair and ridiculous to criticise you the way I have. I hope you take this apology and run with it this weekend. I am humble and I can not wait to see you have a premiership medal around your neck.

You were outstanding on Barry Hall two weeks ago, you got in his face, didn’t back down and took him on one on one.

You dominated Travis Cloke last weekend and put your body on the line. You may still look ungainly, out of position and give away a lot of expirence, but our defensice back six would not operate as smoothly without you in it.

Your guts and courage to take the opposition on has inspired me. (Say Hello to Didak for us if you crunch him again this week!!)

You seek no fanfare and just do the job that is handed too you.

Thankyou Zac and lets go Sainters this Saturday !!

i must also say sorry to zac, i would have to be his biggest critic by far, he has proven me wrong, what also must be said is sos , must take alot of credit as well,taking nothing away from zac, bcos he still has to go out there and do it and he has,so no more dorkson, and well done the zakstar

 

[Peck]

My dad came home not wanting zac delisted. This was when i knew for sure he had played well.

I thought he was fantastic in the GF, absolutely the best game I've seen him play.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Even next year Big K. Once he puts on the 5 kg's of muscle he lost, he will dominate opposition forwards.

Zac next year:

 

[Persevering Saint]

What excites me most about Zac is that he is one of an impressive handful that came to the club with rather-unimpressive reps that Ross & Co have been able to turn into pretty awesome players:

Zac WAS "the dud weakling monstered by the spud-of-all-spud-forwards, Anthony Rocca."
Farren WAS "the gutless wonder who hasn't got any heart."
Peake WAS "Freo's most despised player, delisted for his downhill skiiing."

Now look at them. They're all guns. Great work team!

 

[ChrisL#12]

I'm going to cry when SOS exits the doors

 

[paul of tuval]

I'm going to cry when SOS exits the doors

I think Zac will as well

 

[thecotch]

Respect to anyone who flattens didak the way zac did. Was brilliant viewing!!!

 

[StFly]

As I've said elsewhere, Zac gets some rough treatment on things that are tenousuly his fault and his alone by the supporter base, it's great to see him not take a step back with all the external questions in regards to him and his "worth" to the team since while he would have been filthy with some efforts against Cloke, as cotch stated, you can't help but love that effort with Didak and the tenacity shown with it.

Competent KPD don't grow on trees, and Cougar is coming along nicely for a "discarded rookie project" who's only really 24.

 

[Tom12]

Have also raised questions over Zacs place in the side, definitley felt at times he was getting outmarked too easily.

Will be good to see him lineup again, I'm sure he'll be apart of our backline for a while to come.

 

[Persevering Saint]

I know, Fly, it drives me crazy! The classic problem for a KPB is that their value (or lack thereof) is commonly only noticed when they have a bag kicked against them. They can have nine weeks out of ten where their opponent is the main KPF and kicks only a goal or two, but if the last of the ten is a 6-goal haul, THAT'S the only thing acknowledged.

This is actually made WORSE for Zac, because of the strength of our backline as a unit, ironically. When his opponent kicks a bag, it's "his fault"; when his opponent does stuff all, it's not to his credit, it's "because Fisher and Blake helped him out." Poor fella can't win.

 

[olmate]

Respect to anyone who flattens didak the way zac did. Was brilliant viewing!!!

Hit of the year

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

The Cougar has had some mongrel back in him these last two weeks. I like this.

 

[Big Ted]

Once again Zac, you stood tall yesterday.

You can hold your head high among the carnage which was yesterday.

Unfortunately though for a lot of your team mates, they cant say the same thing.

 

[Big Ted]

hmmmm

Im starting to waiver again Zac. Your starting to let us and the team down.

Maybe last year was the total defensive effort of the team that hid some players defensive deficiencies?

This year so far Zac, I believe you are still getting a game for we have a genuine lack of tall options down back.

You are being caught out of position too much, caught ball watching, being slow on the lead and then giving away so many stupid and unnecessary free kicks.

Come on Zac, lift your game. Show that you can be a great one on one defender.