THE return of superstar Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin to Sydney training has helped shape the early stages of first-year player Jordan Dawson’s career.
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Dawson was part of a four-pronged Sydney Swans invasion on the Riverina on Monday as part of the AFL Community Camp program.
Franklin shocked the AFL world late last season when he walked out on the Swans’ upcoming finals campaign to concentrate on a mental health illness.
He has since returned to join the Swans pre-season training and was the first player to catch the eye of the South Australian teenager.
“Obviously Buddy, he’s a freak of nature,” Dawson answered when asked who had impressed him.
“He runs all day and he’s just so skilful.
“Blokes like (Dan) Hannebery, Kieren Jack, their work ethic when they’re training is really good, and just their talking and stuff.
“But Buddy, just the way he trains. It was pretty overwhelming when I first met him but he’s been really good.”
While Franklin’s return has drawn much attention, Dawson revealed there is much more to the star forward than meets the eye.
“He’s been a real help, especially because I’ve been training up forward with him, he’s been really good,” Dawson said.
“He’s been trying to guide me in the right direction.
“He doesn’t just go about his business, he tries to share his knowledge of the game with us younger blokes which helps.”
Dawson arrived in Sydney from South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Sturt, where he has impressed as a medium-sized forward.
The Swans used selection 56 in the AFL Draft last November to get Dawson to Sydney and the left-footer is still adjusting to life at the elite level.
“Just the fact that we’re there every day,” he said.
“Five days a week, we’re pretty much there from 8 until 3 or 4, with massages and stuff.
“It’s really full on and that’s probably the main shock I think.”
He has his sights set on AFL appearance this year.
“Obviously being in my first year, everyone just wants to play but we’ll see,” he said.
“I’m going alright, tracking alright so we’ll see what happens but to crack into the senior side would be my main goal.”
Dawson also gave Harry Cunningham a big rap and explained how helpful he has been.
“Harry was one of the first blokes that actually came to me, chatted to me and got to know me, he’s so welcoming, all the boys are pretty good but he was one of the standouts,” he said.
