SENIORS: RESERVES: COLTS DIVISION TWO:
FOOTBALL
JESSE Dawson described it as utter “devastation”.
Gearing up for what would be his first ever final, the Torquay onballer was dealt a crushing blow.
Cited by AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel for a forearm strike to the head of Barwon Head’s Jason Kerby in Round 18, Dawson was offered a two-match ban.
The Tigers challenged the penalty, only to be unsuccessful and cop an extra week. It meant his finals dreams were over. Or so it seemed.
“It was the most stressful time of my footy career so far,” Dawson said.
“I was really nervous, especially that second week when I was going to Melbourne [for the appeal]. I was just praying that I would get off so I could play in the finals series.”
Desperate to free the star midfielder, Torquay forked out the $5500 and took the fight to AFL Victoria, where Dawson’s penalty was shaved to just one match.
He missed the second semifinal loss to Geelong Amateur before forcing his way into the Tigers’ line-up for last Saturday’s win over the Seagulls.
“It was a relief,” Dawson admitted.
“I’d put in the work and the extra sessions and I was about to play finals — what you train for all season — and it was almost taken away from me,” he said.
“It was pretty devastating. There was no doubt I got him high, but I honestly never thought it would be worthy of suspension or even looked at.
“The umpire was right there on the day and he didn’t make a report, so it was a bit of a shock when I got the call on the Monday afternoon to find out I’d been suspended for two weeks.”
Dawson, a Torquay local since he was 14, has been a surprise packet this season.
Regarded as a serious contender for the Tigers’ best-andfairest, the youngster attributes much of his success to his teammates.
“The team has really helped with my form,” Dawson said.
“I feed off the other players, play my role in the midfield and I’m enjoying my footy more this year than any other year I’ve played.”
A crucial cog in the Tigers’ onball division, Dawson will be fighting for the first possession.
“I’m a defensive midfielder and my job is to try and shark the tap from Ammos’ ruckman, who is a pretty good player,” Dawson said.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the quickest player, but I prefer contested footy and I pride my game on tackling and winning the ball at the stoppages.”
There’s plenty of butterflies in the stomach for Dawson, who is playing in his maiden grand final.
“I’m definitely nervous,” he said. “It’s great to get the chance. It’s a bonus to play seniors and to get to a finals series and then a grand final with your mates, it’s pretty good.”