SWAN Districts' clash with Claremont at Steel Blue Oval didn’t disappoint on Saturday finishing in a thrilling draw with some standout performances for the black-and-whites from Andrew Krakouer, Michael Walters (pictured) and the back-line.
Ever since Swans beat Claremont by 33 points back in Round 8, the WAFL world has been looking forward to the top-two sides doing battle once again and the match didn’t disappoint with the most physical and intense contest of the season to date.
Both sides would have went away feeling they had chances of winning, but in the end the draw leaves everyone salivating over the return clash at Claremont Oval in a fortnight and then the likely second semi-final meeting.
Dawson has no doubt it was a great spectacle for those in attendance at Steel Blue Oval, but it was just as intense in the coaches' box.
"I'm sure everyone in the crowd went away happy with the spectacle they had seen. It was a pretty torrid affair and both sides were going hammer and tongs at it," Dawson said.
"The coaches' box was a bit the same with the tight finish, but it was almost like both sides were feeling each other out a bit knowing that we have to play them again in a couple of weeks. There was probably some testing salvos across the bows sort of thing and both sides would take something out of the game."
With Swans having led by 10 points at half-time and seven at three quarter-time, but then Claremont being 16 points up in the last quarter before Swans hit back to hit the front before two late points for the Tigers, Dawson felt the draw was a reasonable result for both.
"You pick up things every time you play them and we saw some things about some players that we may be able to try and work on. From our point of view we were just pleased to get back in front in the last 10 minutes after being 16 points down and things weren’t looking too flash," Dawson said.
"The boys rallied and we were very pleased that they steadied to eventually get back in front and when you are in front late in the game but draw you always think that you should have won, but the fact that we were 16 points down and got back was a good positive for the guys. It was probably a somewhat fitting result.
Both sides were without spearheads Ashley Hansen and Chad Jones, and Dawson knows they will make a big difference with Jones certain to return for the Tigers and he remains confident Hansen will be back for Swans.
However, despite Claremont having 69 inside-50 entries to 32 from Swans, Dawson was delighted with how the defence kept the Tigers' forwards in check on the day.
"They are both high quality players so will add something to each team and give a dominant focal point where the boys gravitate to. As a release more than anything else, having Hansen there for us, and hopefully he is, and Jones for them they are important players so will make a difference when they are there," Dawson said.
"We were quite pleased with our guys after losing Luke Pratt late in the week. Paul Richardson did a good job on Ian Richardson, Graham Jetta was pretty good on Ninyette and Matty Spencer (pictured) played a good game for us on various opponents. Our back six was pretty tight and kept them down to a reasonable score and we were able to kick a reasonable score at the other end."
Fremantle's Michael Walters could well have played the best game of 32-match WAFL career on Saturday with 28 possessions and two goals. That was on the back of 20 touches and three goals the previous week against Peel. Dawson is pleased with the form of the 20-year-old.
"His game on Saturday was very good and probably his best game of the season for us," Dawson said.
"He was effective around the contests, used the ball well and finished with two goals. He played a good game and he has held his discipline better in recent times, which is important for him."
Andrew Krakouer was back to his best with 27 possessions and four goals after averaging just 16 disposals the last three weeks, and Dawson was delighted to see the Sandover Medal favourite firing once again.
"He's been in terrific form and his game on Saturday was very good," Dawson said.
"By his standards, which are lofty, he has been a little quieter the past couple of weeks so it was good to see him back to top form and his goals early in the game set us going and were important."
Llane Spaanderman had a big job to do in the ruck up against Claremont pair Andrew Ruck and Tom Derickx, and competed well to finish with 20 touches, five marks and 33 hit outs. Dawson and Swans' will stick with him as their man ruckman in the run home.
"Spaander had a pretty good game for us and he shoulders a big workload. Claremont do run two ruckmen and I'm sure they will continue to do that so he's going to have a big task and we think he's up for it certainly," he said.
"He enjoys the responsibility and has done a good job with it throughout the year so far. We have a couple of options that we can spell him up here and there with, and that's what we'll be looking to do."
The downside of the game for Swans was an ankle injury to midfielder Ryan Davis, but Dawson is confident he will be back before finals.
"It's an ankle and we aren’t sure exactly how it will be at this stage, but I expect it will be a couple of weeks. We'll wait for the scan results before we know exactly though."
