Source : the age
Newly minted All-Australian captain Max Gawn has spoken passionately about the leadership of Jordan Dawson, the Adelaide skipper who gave a spine-tingling speech earlier in the night.
Dawson was named Gawn’s vice-captain in this year’s 23-man All-Australian team. But it was Dawson’s message about the importance of mental health after he tragically lost his older brother Jaryd Dawson during the year that was the most telling.
“I think we saw leadership tonight,” Gawn said.
“I think for Jordan to get up and do what he did, to speak about mental health, to lead his side through the tragedy that happened to his family. And then to show vulnerability in front of a group of strangers that he hasn’t got it right, he hasn’t got it perfect with his battle right now, and asking for help – like that’s a captain that I want to be behind.”
The veteran Melbourne captain even half-joked that he was thankful for the “gesture” of being named captain of the AFL’s best team.
“So I appreciate the gesture, but I want to get behind Jordan Dawson, and I want to allow him to do the speech, because his speech was perfect tonight,” Gawn said.
Support is available from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn has capped a record ninth All-Australian selection by being named captain, but the biggest moment of the night came when his Adelaide counterpart Jordan Dawson was named to the side for the third time.
On the filed, the Crows skipper had a year to remember, but off-field he endured unimaginable heartbreak with the loss if his elder brother, Jaryd.
In paying tribute to Dawson, Gawn said he knew who showed the most leadership this season – the No.12 for Adelaide.
“I think we saw leadership tonight,” Gawn said.
“For Jordan to get up and do what he did, to lead his side …. to show vulnerability in front of a group of strangers … that’s a captain that I want to be behind.”
Earlier, Dawson – this year’s All-Australian vice captain – gave a spine-tingling speech about the importance of speaking up when times are tough.
Newly minted All-Australian captain Max Gawn has spoken passionately about the leadership of Jordan Dawson, the Adelaide skipper who gave a spine-tingling speech earlier in the night.
Dawson was named Gawn’s vice-captain in this year’s 23-man All-Australian team. But it was Dawson’s message about the importance of mental health after he tragically lost his older brother Jaryd Dawson during the year that was the most telling.
“I think we saw leadership tonight,” Gawn said.
“I think for Jordan to get up and do what he did, to speak about mental health, to lead his side through the tragedy that happened to his family. And then to show vulnerability in front of a group of strangers that he hasn’t got it right, he hasn’t got it perfect with his battle right now, and asking for help – like that’s a captain that I want to be behind.”
The veteran Melbourne captain even half-joked that he was thankful for the “gesture” of being named captain of the AFL’s best team.
“So I appreciate the gesture, but I want to get behind Jordan Dawson, and I want to allow him to do the speech, because his speech was perfect tonight,” Gawn said.
Support is available from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.
This year’s captain is Max Gawn and the vice captain is his Adelaide counterpart, Jordan Dawson.
Not only is Gawn now a nine-time AFL All-Australian, he’s also been named the captain for a second time (he also got that nod in 2021).
This is where things get really interesting. It’s relatively easy to fill the 18 spots on the field. Which other players deserve selection? Who else can’t afford to be left out? Will the selectors pick a second ruckman? What about the top midfielders yet to be named? Who will the biggest snubs be?
