Jordan Dawson
{{Short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Jordan Dawson
| fullname = Jordan Dawson
| image = Jordan Dawson 02 170525.jpg
| caption = Dawson playing for Adelaide in 2025
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|04|09|df=y}}
| birth_place = South Australia
| originalteam = {{SANFL Stu}} (SANFL)
| draftpick = No. 56, 2015 national draft
| debutdate = Round 3, 2017
| debutteam = {{AFL|Syd}}
| debutopponent = {{AFL|Col}}
| debutstadium = the Sydney Cricket Ground
| height = 190cm
| weight = 91kg
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = {{AFL|Ade}}
| guernsey = 12
| years1 = 2016–2021
| club1 = {{AFL|Syd}}
| games_goals1 = {{0}}64 (34)
| years2 = 2022–
| club2 = {{AFL|Ade}}
| games_goals2 = {{0}}82 (36)
| games_goalstotal = 146 (70)
| statsend = round 16, 2025
| careerhighlights =
- Adelaide captain: 2023–
- All-Australian team: 2023
- 2× Malcolm Blight Medal: 2023, 2024
- 2× Showdown Medal: 2022 (game 1), 2023 (game 1)
}}
Jordan Dawson (born 9 April 1997) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Sydney Swans from 2016 to 2021.
In 2023, Dawson was named in the 2023 All-Australian team and won his first of two Malcolm Blight Medals. The dual Showdown Medallist has served as Adelaide's captain since 2023.
Early life
Jordan Dawson was born on 9 April 1997.{{cite web | title=Jordan Dawson | website=AFL Tables | url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jordan_Dawson.html | access-date=12 May 2025}} He is the younger son of Robe businessman Tony Dawson, who was formerly president of both the Robe Football Club and Robe Golf Club.{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Fred | title=Politicians visit Robe | website=The SE Voice | date=26 February 2024 | url=https://sevoice.com.au/politicians-visit-robe/ | access-date=12 May 2025}}
Dawson grew up in Robe, south-east of Adelaide in South Australia.{{cite web | last=McManus | first=Luke | title=Dawson determined to learn from best | website=sydneyswans.com.au | date=26 November 2015 | url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/408337/dawson-determined-to-learn-from-best | access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cite web | last=Harvey | first=Daniela | title=Why Jordan Dawson selected the Crows | website=afc.com.au | date=14 October 2021 | url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1025517/why-jordan-dawson-selected-the-crows | access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cite web | title=Crows fly south for summer | website=The SE Voice | date=17 January 2024 | url=https://sevoice.com.au/crows-fly-south-for-summer/ | access-date=12 May 2025| quote=It's a privilege to go home and I’m really passionate about showing the boys where I'm from, Dawson said. }} He started playing Australian rules football when he was five, with Auskick. He supported the Adelaide Crows growing up.
He moved to Adelaide for high school, attending Scotch College during his teenage years. Dawson played league football for {{SANFL Stu}} in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in his draft year of 2015.
AFL career
=Sydney (2016–2021)=
The first player to be drafted to the AFL from the Robe Football Club, Dawson was taken by Sydney with the fifty-sixth overall selection in the 2015 national draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/two-south-australian-schoolmates-beat-the-lottery-of-the-afl-draft-to-be-teammates-at-sydney/news-story/72b0b27ff43627fe80d33a868f838d05|title=Two South Australian schoolmates beat the lottery of the AFL draft to be team-mates at Sydney|last=Rucci|first=Michelangelo|date=14 February 2016|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=8 April 2017}} He made his debut in the one point loss against {{AFL Col}} at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 3 of the 2017 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/teams/sydney/jordan-dawson-the-latest-sydney-swans-debutant-set-to-play-against-collingwood/news-story/efc20292b7cb79a299369c38e69bd38e|title=Jordan Dawson the latest Sydney Swans debutant, set to play against Collingwood|last=Cordy|first=Neil|date=6 April 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=8 April 2017}} After spending long periods of time playing in the NEAFL for Sydney, Dawson began to find form in 2020 at a time when the Swans were struggling. Dawson impressed rival clubs in his last game for Sydney, which was the 2021 elimination final against {{AFL GWS}}. Dawson had 18 disposals and 8 marks in the narrow loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/3732#match-report|title=GIANTS SURVIVE: Heartbreak for Swans as late surge falls short|date=28 August 2021|first=Nathan|last=Schmook|website=afl.com.au}}
At the end of the 2021 AFL season, Dawson requested a trade to {{AFL Ade}}, in his home state of South Australia,{{cite web|title=Crows or Power? Wantaway Swan nominates new home|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/679239|first=Mitch|last=Cleary|date=21 September 2021|accessdate=13 October 2021|work=AFL Media}} despite speculation that the Swan might end up playing for cross-town rivals Port Adelaide. He was traded on 13 October during the 2021 trade period.{{Cite tweet |user=AFL_House|number=1448106062800777217|date=13 October 2021|title=Trade paperwork lodged.}}
=Adelaide (2022–present)=
Round 3 of the 2022 AFL season saw Dawson win the Showdown Medal during Adelaide's 4 point victory over Port Adelaide, in which he kicked a goal after the siren to win the match.{{cite web|title=Adelaide steals epic Showdown against Port Adelaide with Jordan Dawson goal after the siren|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-01/afl-live-scorecentre-stats-results-demons-bombers-crows-power/100954308|date=1 April 2022|website=ABC News}} In his first season as a Crow, he finished second in the club's best and fairest award, behind the three-time winner and fellow Scotch College alumn Rory Laird. Dawson was made captain of the Adelaide Crows after Rory Sloane stepped down on 10 February 2023,{{cite web|title=Rory Sloane steps down as Crows pass captaincy to Jordan Dawson|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/02/10/rory-sloane-steps-down-as-crows-pass-captaincy-to-jordan-dawson/|first=Seb|last=Mottram|work=SEN}} following Sloane's 4th year in the role. Dawson won his second Showdown Medal in Round 3 of 2023{{cite web|title=Back-to-back Showdown medal for captain Dawson|url=https://www.afl.com.au/video/894838/back-to-back-showdown-medals-for-captain-dawson?videoId=894838&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1680350818001&references=AFL_MATCH:4808&references=AFL_MATCH:4808|work=AFL.com.au}} in his first win as captain. Dawson would go on to greatly succeed in the role, finding career-best form and winning the Malcolm Blight Medal in just his second season at the club.{{cite web|title=Crows skipper lands maiden B&F, mid's top-three streak continues|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1049431/adelaide-crows-skipper-jordan-dawson-lands-maiden-bf-midfielder-rory-laird-top-three-streak-continues|first=Nathan|last=Schmook|date=7 October 2023|website=afl.com.au}}
2024 began with scrutiny directed at Jordan Dawson, with Adelaide's 0-4 winning record "epitomised" by Dawson's poor form.{{cite web|date=3 April 2024|website=SEN|first=Nic|last=Negrepontis|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/04/03/the-damning-stats-highlighting-adelaide-skippers-poor-start-to-the-2024/|title=The damning stats highlighting Adelaide skipper's poor start to the 2024 season}} Dawson responded with back-to-back best-on-ground performances against {{AFL Ess}} and {{AFL NM}}, the latter of which saw Dawson awarded with the ANZAC Spirit medal, given to the player adjudicated best-on-ground during the AFL's ANZAC Appeal Round.{{cite web|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=27 April 2024|first=Sophie|last=Welsh|title=Match Report: Crows beat Kangaroos in Tasmania|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1539792/match-report-crows-beat-kangaroos-in-tasmania}} Dawson was forced to miss one game in the season following a head collision with {{AFL Ess}} forward Nate Caddy.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/adelaide-crows/afl-2024-jordan-dawson-enters-concussion-protocols-played-on-after-bump-from-nate-caddy-injury-latest-adelaide-crows-win-over-essendon-bombers-nick-murray-knee-jye-caldwell/news-story/812f74be4fe33c8fe5ccb6353a6ef7f7|title=‘That is staggering’: Dawson enters concussion protocols after initially playing on after knock|publisher=Fox Footy|first=Andrew|last=McMurty|date=20 July 2024}} His absent leadership was noticeable in a large loss to {{AFL Haw}} the following week. Despite the Crows once again missing finals, Dawson strung together some good form to lead the club in coaches' votes{{cite web|title=A club by club look at the 2024 AFLCA coaches votes|publisher=1116 SEN|date=2 September 2024|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/09/02/a-club-by-club-look-at-the-2024-aflca-coaches-votes/}} as well as in Brownlow votes for the second year in a row. Dawson won consecutive Malcolm Blight Medals, being a part of the first tie in the history of the award alongside Ben Keays. He was also awarded with Adelaide's Players' Trademark Award for the second year in a row.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1673418/all-the-award-winners-from-the-2024-crows-club-champion|first=Daniela|last=Harvey|title=All the award winners from the 2024 Crows Club Champion|date=5 October 2024|website=afc.com.au}}
In 2025, Dawson was awarded the maximum ten coaches' votes in his first two matches to start the season.{{cite news|title=Coaches' votes, R2: Crows skipper perfect again, three 10-vote games|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1286425/coaches-votes-r2-adelaide-crows-skipper-jordan-dawson-perfect-again-three-10-vote-games|website=afl.com.au|date=24 March 2025|access-date=24 March 2025}}
Statistics
Updated to the end of round 16, 2025.{{cite web|title=Jordan Dawson|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jordan_Dawson.html|work=AFL Tables|access-date=2 April 2025}}
{{Australian rules football statistics legend}}
{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}
|-
| 2016 || {{AFL|Syd}} || 34
| 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 0
|-
| 2017 || {{AFL|Syd}} || 34
| 1 || 0 || 1 || 6 || 4 || 10 || 3 || 3 || 0.0 || 1.0 || 6.0 || 4.0 || 10.0 || 3.0 || 3.0 || 0
|-
| 2018 || {{AFL|Syd}} || 34
| 4 || 4 || 3 || 33 || 16 || 49 || 22 || 12 || 1.0 || 0.8 || 8.3 || 4.0 || 12.3 || 5.5 || 3.0 || 0
|-
| 2019 || {{AFL|Syd}} || 34
| 20 || 15 || 1 || 249 || 127 || 376 || 109 || 60 || 0.8 || 0.1 || 12.5 || 6.4 || 18.8 || 5.5 || 3.0 || 1
|-
| 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL|Syd}} || 34
| 16 || 6 || 7 || 183 || 77 || 260 || 59 || 38 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 11.4 || 4.8 || 16.3 || 3.7 || 2.4 || 0
|-
| 2021 || {{AFL|Syd}} || 34
| 23 || 9 || 7 || 354 || 159 || 513 || 126 || 68 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 15.4 || 6.9 || 22.3 || 5.5 || 3.0 || 6
|-
| 2022 || {{AFL|Ade}} || 12
| 22 || 10 || 6 || 408 || 133 || 541 || 146 || 65 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 18.5 || 6.0 || 24.6 || 6.6 || 3.0 || 8
|-
| 2023 || {{AFL|Ade}} || 12
| 23 || 6 || 15 || 401 || 222 || 623 || 114 || 153 || 0.3 || 0.7 || 17.4 || 9.7 || 27.1 || 5.0 || 6.7 || 20
|-
| 2024 || {{AFL|Ade}} || 12
| 22 || 10 || 6 || 365 || 174 || 539 || 110 || 134 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 16.6 || 7.9 || 24.5 || 5.0 || 6.1 || 18
|-
| 2025 || {{AFL|Ade}} || 12
| 15 || 10 || 15 || 251 || 107 || 358 || 76 || 104 || 0.7 || 1.0 || 16.7 || 7.1 || 23.9 || 5.1 || 6.9 ||
|- class=sortbottom
! colspan=3 | Career
! 146 !! 70 !! 61 !! 2250 !! 1019 !! 3269 !! 765 !! 637 !! 0.5 !! 0.4 !! 15.4 !! 7.0 !! 22.4 !! 5.2 !! 4.4 !! 53
|}
Notes
{{notelist}}
Honours and achievements
- Adelaide captain: 2023–present
- All-Australian team: 2023
- 2× Malcolm Blight Medal: 2023, 2024
- 2× Showdown Medal: 2022 (game 1), 2023 (game 1)
Personal life
Dawson married his long-term partner Milly Dutton in January 2024.{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Jackie |date=7 January 2024 |title=AFL stars wed in lavish off-season celebrations |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/afl-stars-wed-in-lavish-offseason-celebrations/news-story/a721634cfdce04dc15ce01963afdf8d8 |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=Herald Sun}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Adelplayer}}
- {{AFL Tables}}
- {{AustralianFootball}}
{{Adelaide player squad}}
{{Adelaide Football Club captains}}
{{Current AFL captains}}
{{2023 All-Australian team}}
{{Malcolm Blight Medal}}
{{Showdown Medal}}
{{2015 AFL national draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dawson, Jordan}}
Category:Sturt Football Club players
Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia
Category:Adelaide Football Club players
Category:All-Australians (AFL)