The 2026 season challenged Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson in ways he previously never thought were possible.
In early April, his older brother Jaryd passed away suddenly, changing Dawson’s life and perspective beyond football.
Across the next six months, Dawson juggled the demands of being an AFL captain while navigating the grief of losing his brother.
On the field, the 29-year-old remained one of Adelaide’s most consistent performers, claiming a record fourth consecutive Malcolm Blight Medal, while away from football he spoke openly about his experiences and the importance of mental health.
In a wide-ranging interview with Dylan Buckley on his Dyl and Friends podcast, Dawson reflected on the experiences that shaped his year and how they taught him the importance of vulnerability.
“It's uncomfortable, but especially this year, I've cried in front of the whole of Australia a couple of times. So for me, I feel like I've conquered that vulnerability,” Dawson said.
“I feel like I'm not scared of being vulnerable in front of people because I haven't had a choice.
“The media was quite confronting. In the worst moments of your life, the media is still there to tell a story.
“I know it's a part of what I do, and a part of the sporting landscape, but I was shown in the most vulnerable states, and I've been extremely vulnerable in front of my teammates and staff.
“I'm not scared to continue to show that, and I want to make sure that's something that I continue to do, and not just move past it.
“Now that this season's done, and it's not a story anymore for external people, it's still going to be something that I show people that I want to be vulnerable, and I'll tell them that I love them, and tell them that they're enough because they are. That’s a lesson that I've learnt this year.”
That lesson was front of mind at the 2026 AFL Awards, when he accepted the AFL Player’s Association Best Captain and Most Courageous Player awards.
With the spotlight of the football world on him, Dawson delivered a speech, which touched on his experiences throughout the year and advocated for mental health.
“The big thing that I really wanted to get across was, I feel like we all check in on people and we go ‘Oh, how you going mate?’ and it's like ‘Yeah, no, good, yep,’” Dawson said.
“Reflecting on it now, I still probably hold a bit of guilt in my heart, not telling Jaryd that I loved him and that I was so grateful for my childhood and the memories that we had.
“Especially as a guy, you don't necessarily say that all the time, and I've started to try and tell people that I love them because I do love them, and tell them that they're enough with who they are as people.
“They are enough, and they are loved, and it's been one thing that I've really tried to do more of, and be conscious about telling those people that I love them.
“It's been important for me to relay that message because I probably felt like I didn't do that enough with Jaryd.”
Dawson also spoke about the influence of his wife Milly, who has been a constant pillar of love and support throughout the most difficult of times.
He said if it wasn’t for her, he didn’t know if he would have been able to return to football.
“It still almost doesn't feel real in a way, I still find it very hard to talk about as well,” Dawson said.
“But without Milly, without her family support, without my family and (us) galvanising together, I wouldn't have been able to play footy again, especially without Milly.
“She's just been unbelievable, and it's her heartbreak too, she knew my brother for 15-20 years.
“For her to be able to continue to be my support, while she's feeling the range of emotions that she's feeling too, was something that I'm so grateful for that I've got her in my life.”
One moment that has stayed with Dawson was returning to the Club for the first time after Jaryd’s passing.
Just days later, he visited his teammates in the changerooms ahead of Adelaide’s Round Six clash against St Kilda, before watching the one-point win from the stands.
Dawson said making the trip from Adelaide to Robe that night was one the hardest things he’s ever done, and credited his wife, Milly, with helping him take that step.
“I wouldn't have been able to play footy again, especially as early as I did, without Milly helping me get back on my feet in a way,” Dawson said.
“She basically held my hand through the whole thing, to get back up to Adelaide, and get me to the St Kilda game.
“I didn't want to go, I didn't even want to leave Robe, I just wanted to kind of stay in a safe place in a way.
“I've never been more nervous in my life than going into the change rooms before the game and seeing the boys and seeing people from the Club, because I just didn't know how I'd react, and that was pretty scary.
“But I felt so loved, and I think that was something that I'm so grateful for, that helped me get up there and see everyone again.”
