MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Kallan Dawson of Williamstown runs with the ball during the round three VFL match between Williamstown Seagulls and Casey Demons at Williamstown Football Ground on April 09, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
North Melbourne have landed 23 year-old key defender Kallan Dawson from VFL side Williamstown at pick no.2 in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
A spectacular first half of the 2022 season in the VFL saw recruiters circling for Dawson, with the 194cm defender praised for his clever decision making and sheer athleticism.
Dawson has been starved of opportunities as a young player, having missed out on Western Jets selection as a junior, before a shoulder reconstruction and the pandemic. He then fell out of selection favour at the Seagulls for Charlie Dean, who has subsequently been picked up by Collingwood.
But Dawson grabbed his opportunity in the opening two games of the VFL this year, where he impressed all onlookers by taking 12 marks in round one and racking up 19 disposals in round two, putting his name squarely in the mid-season draft equation.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, the newly drafted Roo said he was still in shock, but super pumped by the opportunity.
"It 100 per cent made me realise it's not that far away," Dawson said.
"I worked with him (Charlie Dean) really closely last year as a key back. Once he got picked up, you realised that it was possible to make it onto a list.
"It's pretty overwhelming, I'm still in shock. I'm super pumped. I can't wait to get there.
"I had a meeting with them about a week ago and then just an hour before the draft they called and told me they were going to take me, which calmed the nerves."
He then reportedly joked to his boss that he would no longer be working for him as a second year electrician.
North's General Manager of Football Talent Brady Rawlings said Dawson would add to their key defensive stocks.
"He’s played all this year down back in the VFL. He’s a good intercept mark, he’s put on 10-11 kilos in the last two seasons so he’s got his body ready for AFL footy," he said in a club statement yesterday.
"He’s got good speed, good judgement in the air and he’s been quite skilful and safe with the ball in hand."
With the Kangaroos foregoing their second pick (no.17), Dawson was the sole addition to Arden Street in the Mid-Season draft.