Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson has posted a social media tribute to his brother, Jaryd, who died last week in South Australia.
Dawson’s tribute to his older brother was posted on Instagram on Sunday morning, the day after the Crows – with their captain unavailable – scored an emotional one-point win over St Kilda.
It read: “My brother. My idol. The hole in my heart hurts so bad pal but I know you’re at peace you made me who I am today and I’m going to pass every bit of that competitive, stubborn, caring and passionate nature onto your beautiful boy. Huddy and Jess have an army behind them. I’lI miss you and love you forever Rod.”
Jaryd Dawson was reported missing by his wife, Jessica, on Tuesday. A day later South Australian police confirmed his body had been found and identified.
A number of AFL figures paid tribute to the Dawson family at the weekend, with emotions highest at the Adelaide Oval, where Jordan watched his team scrape home against the Saints.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said his captain would be given all the time he needed to grieve the death of his brother, and the club was not putting a timeline on his return to the team.
“It has been an emotional week, a really emotional week,” Nicks said post-match.
“To get a win is a great result.
“When you spend time in a footy club like we are, you realise how lucky you are to be in a position like this when circumstances play out the way they did this week – in a really tough time for someone who means a lot to us and a family that mean a lot to us.
“So we’re lucky. The footy club has done a great job, and it was good to have Daws here with the group.”
The 45,854-strong crowd at Adelaide Oval stood as one in tribute to Dawson at the 12-minute mark – Dawson’s jumper number – in the first quarter against the Saints.
“We just get around [Jordan] and the family, and we will work with him on what’s the right timing, there’s no rush in that,” Nicks said.
“This is people first. Family is always number one, way before football, so we’ll just work through it.”
Former captain Taylor Walker was Adelaide’s match-winner in the 15.13 (103) to 15.12 (112) win over the Saints.
“It’s tough when your captain is not playing, but good to see a former captain step up,” Nicks said.
“And I think there’s a bit bit in it too: Tex is an emotional guy and he’s doing whatever he could to sort of make Jordan proud.“
– with AAP
