Prized recruit Jordan Dawson has become an instant Adelaide Crows hero in drilling a game-winning set shot after the siren in his first ‘Showdown’ against Port Adelaide.
Playing in just his third game for the Crows since joining the club in an off-season trade, Dawson showed nerves of steel after the siren, with his goal giving the Crows a remarkable 15. 6. (96) to 13. 14. (92) win over the Power at the Adelaide Oval.
Adelaide trailed by as many as 20 points in the second half before storming home with a five-goal-to-two final term.
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Dawson was somewhat fortuitous to receive the opportunity to seal the match, after being the recipient of the free kick given to teammate Lachie Murphy, who couldn’t take the kick due to a neck injury.
With the Crows making one last foray forward, Murphy had his head over the ball and was awarded a free kick with just seconds remaining after being caught high by Port defender Sam Mayes, who was reported for his part in the incident.
However, Murphy, who was playing in his first match of the season after recovering from a neck injury, went down clutching his neck, before coming off the ground.
Dawson was awarded the kick due to being the closest Crows player to Murphy at the time of the free kick, which worked perfectly for the Crows given his elite foot skills.
The left-footer’s shot looked to be missing initially before the ball’s flight path took a wicked turn left at the death and snuck in through the posts, giving the Crows a remarkable four-point win.
Dawson, too, was left in disbelief after his game-winner, admitting that he hadn’t planned for the ball to make a right-to-left turn.
“Luckily we don’t have to draw pictures! I don’t even know what to say,” he told Fox Footy after his goal.
“I think obviously we’ve copped a little bit in the first few weeks. Our game plan, we know, stacks up with the best teams.
“We obviously weren’t able to play the way we wanted to play in the first few weeks and to come out in the ‘Showdown’, obviously my first win, a lot of the boys’ first win in a ‘Showdown’, it’s pretty special. The crowd was unbelievable.
“I suppose that’s just why we train, we practice those set shots and lucky it swung back late and snuck through past the post.”
Dawson was awarded the Showdown Medal for his total output for the match: 25 disposals, six marks and two goals.
His kick left Fox Footy’s commentary team stunned.
“I don’t think anyone can comprehend what has just happened,” lead commentator Anthony Hudson said.
“We were right behind the kick and he did not make great contact with it. But it came back,” Hawks great Jason Dunstall added.
The ‘Showdown’ win was the first for Crows coach Matthew Nicks, and it was a welcome result after the team was slammed by football director Mark Ricciuto following its round two loss to Collingwood.
Port Adelaide was left stunned at the siren, with the loss dropping it to an unenviable 0-3 start to the season.
After leading for the majority of the match, former skipper Travis Boak had the opportunity to ice the game in the final minutes but left the door ajar for the Crows when he missed his set shot from 35m out on a slight angle.
Port’s task to get its first win does not get any easier with a clash with unbeaten reigning premiers Melbourne set for round four.
Meanwhile, the buoyant Crows will hope to make it two from two when they travel to Melbourne to take on the winless Bombers.