Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has indicated that defender Zac Dawson has played his final game of AFL football.
Dawson, 31, has not played for the Dockers since round two this season when he was omitted following the side's 89-point loss to Port Adelaide.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Lyon praised Dawson's resilience throughout his 166-game career, while confirming he will not be at the club in 2018.
“I had a good chat with Zac (on Tuesday), just talking about (things in) general. He’s achieved a lot in his AFL career,” Lyon said.
“He’s played in four grand finals, prelims and all of that. He’s displaying his character at Peel. He’s leading really well and being a big influencer down there, so he’s really comfortable.
“He said ‘I don’t need to validate my career with a farewell game or jump in a car and go around the MCG, it doesn’t interest me, it’s not how I measure myself’ - so he’s really comfortable in his own skin.
“We’re not in a position (to play Dawson), we may have to depending on availability.
“We’d prefer to give Sam Collins an opportunity. Clearly, Zac won’t be here next year, so we don’t need to chew up an opportunity for the sake of it.”
Dawson has spent the majority of the season in the WAFL with reserves side, Peel Thunder, who currently sit third with 11 wins and seven losses.
He has played 89 games with Fremantle, after playing 63 at St Kilda and 14 at Hawthorn. The often maligned backman played in four grand finals during his career, three with St Kilda (2009, 2010 drawn grand final, 2010 grand final replay) and one with Hawthorn (2013).
