Lions build baseline of top-level talents
“I have just worked myself back in which I’m happy about,’’ he said.
“In my first couple of years we had a lot of injuries so I got games because of those openings, this time it means a bit more because I’ve had to work for it. All the reserves boys are playing well and it has created a really healthy competitive environment around the club.’’
Last week he gathered 34 possessions in a rampant midfield display that forced coach Chris Fagan’s hand.
He comes into the side for LANCE Franklin and Jeremy Cameron are the headline acts but it’s been their support cast of Sam Reid and Jonathon Patton who have been getting the job done in front of goals.
Reid’s 11 goals from four games is one more than Franklin’s 10 this year and it was Patton’s six against Port Adelaide which got them home last week.
How they perform tonight at the SCG will have a massive influence on the outcome of the 12th Sydney Derby.
One advantage Reid has is coaching from the greatest scorer of all time in Tony Lockett who has reconnected with the Swans after 15 years away from the game. Lockett’s part-time goalkicking expertise has had an effect on Reid’s accuracy. He has booted 11 goals and just two behinds this year which compares favourably to his career record of 105 majors and 74 behinds.
“Plugger has had a few things to say that have been helpful,” Reid said.
Patton and the Giants are looking for their third win in a row against the Swans and their first at the SCG.
“I always love playing he Swans,” Patton said
“We’ve never beaten them at the SCG so that would be another achievement.” Tom Bell who has been dropped. Dawson admits he hasn’t always been in good touch when called-up to the seniors as an injury replacement in the past and says it is difficult to make an impact at AFL level when you’ve been battling in the twos.
“To get a call up when you are in good form is huge, you have confidence in your ability and you know all the coaches want is for you to play your role,’’ he said.
“And the boys rely on you and they trust you, that is a big one, they trust that you understand the systems.’’
While the spotlight will be on the Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy in his 300th game, the Lions are determined not to be just the supporting cast at Etihad Stadium today.
Dawson says the players sense improvement across all areas of the club.
“We are playing good footy at both levels, the ones aren’t getting the results the past couple of weeks, but we saw in the Q Clash how they can play,’’ he said.