Sydney Swans defender Jordan Dawson will run out in his 50th AFL game this weekend when the Swans face Collingwood at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.
A 2015 draftee, Dawson made his debut for the Swans in 2017.
Six years in the making to reach his first milestone game, Dawson says he wouldn’t change how it has played out.
"It has been a long time coming, six years.” Dawson said.
“Teammates Callum Mills and Tom Papley have played 100 games, and we debuted in the same year. It’s taken a bit longer for me but I wouldn’t change it.
“I am stoked I have reached that first milestone.
“The first 10 [games] were pretty hard, but since then I feel like I've really found my feet,” Dawson said.
The defender said that while he still has plenty to learn, he feels like an older, experienced player in the squad.
He has played a handful of roles for the Swans but his pinpoint disposal out of the backline, brilliant reading of the play, strong one-on-one defence and tireless work ethic has seen him become a vital member of Sydney’s back six.
“I feel like I still have a lot to learn as a footballer. It probably took me 10-15 games to feel comfortable at the level and feel like I could have an impact,” Dawson said.
“I feel like I have added a lot of versatility to my game. I started as a half-forward flank and have moved up and down the ground so I think having that versatility in my game has really helped a lot.
“The last couple of years, I have really focused on my defensive work and that probably has been my biggest improvement.”
Jordan De Goey looms as a crucial match-up for the Swans’ defence, especially after the Magpie’s forward bounced back into form with six goals against North Melbourne.
At 191cm and 85kg, Dawson seems an unlikely opponent for De Goey, and he refused to hint at who might line up next to the one-on-one specialist.
"We're just thinking as a team down there. There is seven of us so it's not going to be left up to one bloke to tackle him because he's obviously a gun player,” Dawson said.
“We're going to focus as a group and see how we can help each other when it comes in, not be so isolated down there.”
The Swans kick off against Collingwood at the SCG on Saturday May 15, kick off at 1:45pm.
