Diamond Dawes’ big opportunity

This article and photo first appeared in the Newcastle Herald

By Josh Leeson

The 23-year-old forward or ruckman was one of 12 Black Diamond players drafted into the Swans side for a match against Eastlake last month at No.1 Sportsground.

So impressed was Swans coach Jared Crouch with Dawes’s performance he was flown to the Gold Coast two weeks ago for Sydney’s 21-point win over the Suns reserves.

The Swans had a bye last weekend, but Dawes will join the side for the rest of the season from this Saturday.

Standing at 202 centimetres, Dawes’s height instantly appealed to Crouch.

Against the Suns he played almost the entire match, alternating between the ruck and the forward line.

“Based on what Crouchie has said, they don’t have many tall options in their team, and that’s what they’re looking for,” he said.

“He requested my presence against Gold Coast and was actually quite pleased with how I played and how I fitted into the team.”

Dawes is hoping to win a spot on the Swans rookie list next season.

He has reduced his civil engineering university degree from three subjects per semester to one to create more time for football.

“It’s something I’m really enjoying day in day out, and I want to pursue something that makes me happy,” he said.