Player Watch #18: Wil 'Shotgun' Dawson - Extends to end of 2026

[disco_cowboy]

(Obviously all just my subjective opinion, others may disagree)

It's a complicated question because there's two answers;

1. The player I think he can develop into
2. The role that he is being used in

They aren't the same thing, at the moment.

For #1, I think he can develop into almost a Comben-esque floating loose interceptor CHB type role. He needs to improve his read of the play significantly to get there, and his disposal needs to improve as well because his kicking isn't great as it currently stands (for example he had 12 kicks this weekend at 66% DE, and although VFL stats don't track clangers/turnovers I can recall seeing him kick directly to the opposition at least twice). But he is young and you'd want to believe he can still develop the skills necessary to get there.

For #2, at the moment in VFL he's mostly being used in that kind of Logue/Pink/Corr role where he's meant to be playing man-on-man KPD against a direct opponent. If we're being completely honest... he's not very good at this role yet. He gives up size and strength to his opponents frequently, and his 1-on-1 win rate is quite low. His contested marking and spoiling is not a strength yet either.

Now, so it doesn't comes across like this entire post is just shitting on him (because I promise that's not my intention), let me sing his praises a little in a different regard; there's been multiple times where we've seen him have a chop-out in the ruck and run around in that role a little bit, and this is the best he's looked all season. His game against Sandringham was especially good in this regard. Having him follow the play as a ruck, he looked comfortable and got himself much more involved than we've really seen him be capable of as a defender.

Thanks for the detailed response. I've really like him since we drafted but probably more from a personality and potential than through his performance.I would have been hoping his footy craft would be better and he isn't just picked on height.
Is his pressure any good? does he compete at ground level? How's his hands? Does he do the 1%s.
Stuff I would be keen to know because i think they will help me understand what he could be.

 

[The Nostradamus]

You only get one Essendon in your lifetime

Or maybe we convince them to replace magoo with big dawso

 

[Chadwiko]

Is his pressure any good? does he compete at ground level? How's his hands? Does he do the 1%s.
Stuff I would be keen to know because i think they will help me understand what he could be.

Again, this is just my own perspective, and others may disagree, but to answer your questions;

• Is his pressure any good?
  It's okay. Effort isn't his issue. He works hard and competes, but often isn't in the best positions. As I said, this will hopefully improve as his ability to read the flow of the game and position himself accordingly gets better.
• does he compete at ground level?
  I wouldn't say he's particularly skilled below his knees or anything. He's a little bit unco, but so are a lot of tall guys. Tall guys good below their knees are a pretty rare breed so this isn't something I'd especially hold against Shotgun.
• How's his hands?
  In terms of marks, or disposals? He's a good mark, but like all aspects of a young players game it could use improving. In terms of handballs, I do wonder how much trust he has in his own handballing ability because he very overtly always looks to kick instead of handball. For example, in his VFL career in literally 50%~ of his games he has fewer than 2 handballs. Is this coaching, instinct, or a mix? Hard to say.
• Does he do the 1%s.
  He tries. And he has some nice moments. Again, effort isn't really an issue for him so the 1%ers like spoiling, putting blocks on, etc... yeah he's not bad at this when the moments call for it.

 

[Hazey1977]

Was quite happy when I thought of it. It’s gotten nothing, except for you, glad you got a laugh out of it.

You put it on a t shirt, I'll wear it!

Actually it's probably a bit mean to wear in public and I'm a nice guy. Could be kinda cute as my pj's top though.....

 

[Masked Avenger]

The flip-side to this is that if you play guys before they're ready, you absolutely can and will actively hurt their development. It's not just a confidence thing either (which is a real and significant factor).

This dovetails into your post below.

Usually, when we talk about playing players before they're ready, it's usually whether they're physically developed enough.

At 20/21, he's obviously got some further physical development, but he ain't no string bean, not in the mould of M Whitlock anyway.

Stand next to this guy, he's already a deadset unit.

I've seen enough of Corr, Logue and Pink, who've been in the system ranging from 6 to 12 years, to know that they're not solving any of our problems down back.

It's a team game comprising 23 players, we can afford to put some serious AFL time into young Wil.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Clubs would be asking the question on dozens of players. Doesn't mean they take up the offer.

Contrary to popular opinion, I'm sure we're doing the same.

For sure. Communication with Will about what he needs to work on is part of it before he gets a chance in the side.
We also might be thinking about how we find assets to trade for players and match F/S and NGA kids, so perhaps someone has to be moved on to make that happen. I guess we'll see if he gets contracted promptly given the talk.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Very slow, can’t kick and his ability to defend is questionable. Big unit they do take alot of time tho. Im concerned with his development and I definitely feel he could be swayed out of Arden st. My understanding the club has been dissapointed with his willingness to work and improve his defensive craft. His hunting, fishing is more exciting for him.

Fair point. Think he's still quite young, still growing into his body, so got some time to keep developing.
Somebody may have to be squeezed out to get some extra picks to match bids this year.

 

[Dinkers]

That certain poster actually watches the twos and you've mentioned that you don't, so he might have something on you there.

But you see, no ****s are given my end. Will turned 20 in December, it is acknowledged he is a slow burn. I'm not suggesting Will plays. This certain poster potted the club for not playing Phillips. Phillips is a shitmen.

 

[Chadwiko]

Doesn't matter what he says.

I've been correct about things and I've been incorrect about things. I'm still here.

Unlike some... I've never had to delete a bigfooty account and make a new one out of sheer embarrassment about being wrong about so many things so many times.

 

[SLF]

Wil will play later this year, its just a matter of when.

 

[R00StaR]

Doesn't matter what he says.

I've been correct about things and I've been incorrect about things. I'm still here.

Unlike some... I've never had to delete a bigfooty account and make a new one out of sheer embarrassment about being wrong about so many things so many times.

Im not sure this is how we bigfooty

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

I've watched a fair bit of Dawson and sometimes you can see the potential and then other times, well he doesn't. He has the physical attributes, he's mobile enough and has aggression but I am concerned he lacks 2 things.

1. Footy Smarts
2. Reading the ball in the air.

Pretty hard to teach these things at his age. Might be the new Magoo ... please let me be wrong.

Two massive weaknesses I can see:
1) Reading of the ball coming into defensive 50.
2) Either his positioning or speed: either way he seems 3-4 steps off his man most of the time.

 

[Dinkers]

Ya know I'm a huge supporter of our gender neutral fanbase .

I've never changed account for any other reason than boredom.

I sent the club a pic of someone that could lead our gender neutral charge . I got back, " no ****en way he's too weird looking and reminds us of Rolf Harris ".

Point is no one can say I didn't try. And I think our gender neutral fanbase should be allowed to make up shit. If only for the reason it makes them feel better about their pathetic existence.

 

[Devski]

Well it’s your time to shine Shotgun.

 

[Masked Avenger]

Well it’s your time to shine Shotgun.

Absolutely.

And the lad needs a block of games.

Even if he has his moments of struggle, he'll soon prove his worth.

 

[Hatchy1992]

Absolutely.

And the lad needs a block of games.

Even if he has his moments of struggle, he'll soon prove his worth.

Agree. He can't be in for one game and dropped next week if he has a poor game.

He needs a good month or so against decent opposition to develop.

 

[Chadwiko]

Agree. He can't be in for one game and dropped next week if he has a poor game.

He needs a good month or so against decent opposition to develop.

Agreed.
Now that he's in, unless it becomes drastically obvious that he isn't AFL ready, you have to give him minimum three weeks in a row as a genuine opportunity

 

[amaz199]

He is the type of player (like Archer) that excels at AFL level when their VFL form isn't that great.

 

[Hatchy1992]

Agreed.
Now that he's in, unless it becomes drastically obvious that he isn't AFL ready, you have to give him minimum three weeks in a row as a genuine opportunity

Pretty much.

But even then if he has a drastically bad game id be leaning towards keeping him in, letting him know as the senior coach and defensive coach where he needs to improve and backing him in against Adelaide.

 

[Chadwiko]

He is the type of player (like Archer) that excels at AFL level when their VFL form isn't that great.

What makes you say that?

 

[amaz199]

What makes you say that?

His job on Darcy last year a prime example.

Dawson actually was injured in the last quarter of that game and Darcy got a few through the big sticks as a result.

Give him a lockdown role and he'll do it.

 

[Hatchy1992]

His job on Darcy last year a prime example.

Dawson actually was injured in the last quarter of that game and Darcy got a few through the big sticks as a result.

Give him a lockdown role and he'll do it.

I was watching that game live from behind the big sticks and both quarters he was down my end I was watching him closely and he definitely started to frustrate Darcy and took quite a few decent intercept marks.

 

[roos 10]

It’s easer to play in seniors sometimes let’s hope this is the case

 

[krakouers]

Load up and scatter?

(In the terms of his nickname Mr Policeman/ASIO reading this)

 

[shinboner magic]

Thought someone said he was miles away from even being selected.