4 hours ago
10
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson fought back tears as he opened up on the constant struggle of coping with the loss of his elder brother.
The 29-year-old shared his emotional turmoil at Tuesday night's AFL Awards after being named the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player for 2026.
Dawson's elder brother Jaryd died aged 35 in April, leaving the Crows skipper and his family devastated.
Despite the tragedy, Dawson returned to football and led Adelaide to sixth place on the ladder while producing another outstanding individual season.
He received three major honours at Centrepiece Melbourne, winning the AFLPA Best Captain and Most Courageous Player awards before earning his third All-Australian blazer.
Dawson was also appointed vice-captain of the All-Australian team, with Melbourne veteran Max Gawn named captain.
Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson fought back tears while discussing grief at the AFL Awards ceremony
Dawson returned to football one week after Jaryd's death, recording 28 disposals and two goals against the Lions
Dawson delivered an emotional message to people struggling with mental health after receiving the courage award
However, it was Dawson's deeply personal acceptance speech that became the defining moment of the ceremony.
Asked by Fox Footy host Jonathan Brown how he had continued through such a difficult year, Dawson admitted the loss remained raw.
'It's been a struggle; it's not easy. It's a range of emotions. They come at different times,' he said.
As Dawson spoke, the venue's big screen showed his wife Milly and father Tony watching from the audience.
'You'll probably have to take them off the screen, otherwise I'll start crying,' Dawson said with a smile as he struggled to contain his emotions.
The Crows captain credited his club and family with creating places where he felt comfortable discussing his grief.
'It's just about creating a safe place within the footy place, within home,' he said.
'Understanding that there'll be times where I struggle to come into work, but the footy club's been awesome in that space.
Dawson's wife Milly and father Tony watched from the audience as he spoke about losing his brother
Dawson said support from Adelaide, his family and his wife's family had helped him through an extraordinarily difficult year
'Also me understanding that it's OK to feel a certain type of way, and to also talk to the people that are close to me and the ones that I love, and make sure that we're having ongoing conversations about how we're all dealing with the events that have happened.
'It's still pretty raw, to be honest, mate, like it's always going to be hard to talk about, I think.
'I'm just so fortunate I've got such great support around me in the footy club, but also my loving family and my wife's family. I definitely wouldn't be here without them.'
Before leaving the stage, Dawson turned his attention to people experiencing their own mental health battles.
'I just want to say, obviously the mental health space is something that's pretty new and pretty raw to me at the moment, but it's definitely something that I want to learn a bit more about,' he said.
'I just want to wish anyone who's struggled with mental health out there, or who is struggling with mental health, to know that you are definitely loved, and the world is a better place with you in it.
'And that you are enough, and that we all love you, and that you have beautiful family and friends around you.
'Like I said, it's a space that I really want to get into, and when the time's right, I'll enter that. But like I said, you are enough, and you are loved.'
Dawson urged anyone facing mental health struggles to remember they were loved and that the world needed them
Gawn later used his All-Australian captaincy speech to praise Dawson's leadership and willingness to show vulnerability.
'I think for Jordan to get up and do what he did, to speak about mental health, to lead his side through the tragedy that happened with his family, and then to show vulnerability in front of a group of strangers that he hasn't got it right, he hasn't got it perfect and asking for help, that's a captain that I want to be behind,' Gawn said.
'So, I appreciate the gesture, but I want to get behind Jordan Dawson, and I would allow him to do the speech, because his speech was perfect tonight.'
Dawson had returned to the field one week after stepping away following Jaryd's death, recording 28 disposals and two goals against Brisbane at the Gabba.
He kissed his black armband after kicking a goal before breaking down after the final siren as players and officials from both clubs gathered around him.
For confidential crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
