Brothers tap into ruck find

Brothers’ Jason Dawson, an apprentice carpenter.

Allan Reinikka

TALK of table-topping Brothers being a side compiled from out-of-town players annoys coach Don Pollock.

One of the success stories at the club this year has been local product Jason Dawson, a powerful teenager who has been given the responsibility of playing in the ruck.

“I started playing with Brothers when I was 13-years-of-age,” he said.

Since then, Dawson has stayed with the club during some ordinary times, but this year he has been running with the A-grade squad and enjoying his footy.

“It has been good as I’m playing with a good group of players,” he said.

When the season began the young player was a bit raw but playing with good players around him – and in a winning environment is bringing the best out of the ruckman.

“It has been good having a new coach with the side,” he added.

Not that Dawson is likely to criticise the Brothers top coach as Pollock also employs him as an apprentice carpenter.

“We had lots of hard pre-season training and that has helped us out through the season,” Dawson said. “I think we have come on as a group, we are all good mates.”

Despite being a young talent, Dawson is not looking too far ahead, saying he is happy being a part of the Brothers.

“At the moment I’m just learning more about my position,” he said.

“I’d like to go down south and have a go with a team later.”

However, that is once he has finished his apprenticeship and with Pollock keeping the youngster’s hours he might find that is a long time from now.

Dawson credits both Pollock and senior player, and former A-grade coach Steve Smithwick with his football development.

“I love it in the ruck,” he said sporting a black eye from last Saturday’s clash with Panthers.

During the season he has faced all the top ruck men in the Capricornia competition but names one in particular as the best he’s faced.

“Wes Hawke at the Swans,” he said.

There is a good chance they could lock horns in this year’s grand final.