Biggest All-Australian snubs revealed on one of footy’s night of nights

Newly minted All-Australian captain Max Gawn has spoken passionately about the leadership of Jordan Dawson, the Adelaide skipper who gave a spine-tingling speech earlier in the night.

Dawson was named Gawn’s vice-captain in this year’s 23-man All-Australian team. But it was Dawson’s message about the importance of mental health after he tragically lost his older brother Jaryd Dawson during the year that was the most telling.

“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 to 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 with his battle right now, and asking for help – like that’s a captain that I want to be behind.”

The veteran Melbourne captain even half-joked that he was thankful for the “gesture” of being named captain of the AFL’s best team.

“So I appreciate the gesture, but I want to get behind Jordan Dawson, and I want to allow him to do the speech, because his speech was perfect tonight,” Gawn said.

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