Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson accepted the prestigious Robert Rose Most Courageous Player award at the 2026 AFL Awards night, delivering a deeply emotional speech that touched on the profound grief of losing his elder brother. Dawson, visibly moved, shared the ongoing challenges of coping with the death of his brother, Jaryd, who passed away in April at the age of 35.
A Season of Resilience and Recognition
Despite the immense personal loss, Dawson demonstrated remarkable resilience, returning to lead the Adelaide Crows. Under his captaincy, the team secured a sixth-place finish on the ladder, a testament to his leadership and the team’s collective strength. Dawson’s individual performance throughout the season was also outstanding, earning him significant accolades at the awards ceremony held at Centrepiece Melbourne. In addition to the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player award, he was recognized as the AFLPA Best Captain and received his third All-Australian blazer. He was further honored by being named vice-captain of the All-Australian team, with Melbourne’s Max Gawn appointed captain.
An Emotional Acceptance Speech
The defining moment of the evening, however, was Dawson’s acceptance speech for the Most Courageous Player award. When asked by host Jonathan Brown about his ability to persevere through such a difficult year, Dawson candidly admitted that the pain of his brother’s loss remained acute. “It’s been a struggle; it’s not easy. It’s a range of emotions. They come at different times,” he shared, his voice thick with emotion. He noted the presence of his wife, Milly, and father, Tony, in the audience, even joking with a smile, “You’ll probably have to take them off the screen, otherwise I’ll start crying,” as he fought to maintain his composure.
Dawson emphasized the crucial role of creating safe environments, both within the football club and at home, in navigating his grief. He expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from the Adelaide Crows, his family, and his wife’s family. “It’s just about creating a safe place within the footy place, within home,” he explained. “Understanding that there’ll be times where I struggle to come into work, but the footy club’s been awesome in that space.” He also highlighted the importance of open communication and acknowledging that it is “OK to feel a certain type of way” and to talk about how everyone is coping with the tragedy.
“It’s still pretty raw, to be honest, mate, like it’s always going to be hard to talk about, I think,” Dawson confessed. “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.”
A Message of Hope for Mental Health
Before concluding his speech, Dawson extended a heartfelt message to those facing mental health challenges. Recognizing his own recent immersion in this sensitive area, he conveyed a message of love and validation. “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 stated. “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.” He added, “And that you are enough, and that we all love you, and that you have beautiful family and friends around you.” Dawson expressed a desire to become more involved in supporting mental health initiatives when the time is right.
Tributes and Continued Support
Following Dawson’s powerful address, Max Gawn, captain of the All-Australian team, lauded Dawson’s courage and vulnerability. Gawn spoke about the significance of Dawson’s willingness to share his personal struggles publicly. “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 remarked. He expressed his admiration and support for Dawson’s leadership.
Dawson’s return to the field after his brother’s death was marked by a standout performance against Brisbane, where he recorded 28 disposals and kicked two goals. A poignant moment during that game saw him kiss his black armband after scoring a goal, a gesture that was followed by him becoming overcome with emotion at the final siren, with players and officials from both teams offering comfort.
For individuals seeking confidential crisis support in Australia, Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14.
