Kallan Dawson’s career as a Kangaroo officially started on the weekend, with the mid-season draftee impressing in the 42-point VFL victory over the Northern Bullants.

Dawson took a spot in the heart of defence and played alongside a strong unit consisting of Josh Goater, Matt McGuinness and VFL-listed Marty Hore, a defensive unit that conceded zero goals in the first quarter and just six for the game.

After starting the season for bottom-placed Williamstown before being drafted by North, Dawson says it was nice to be back on the field.

“It was nice to have a win, I haven’t had a win for a while. It was really good to get out there with the boys and enjoy a game where the group played really well,” Dawson told North Media.

“I’ve been training with a few of the boys who played for a couple of weeks, so it was nice to be able to actually get out on the ground and get to know how they all play a bit more.

“I thought we moved the ball really well as a unit and helped set the team up really well. It was a good performance and hopefully we can really build on it.”

After performing strongly in the first half of the season for Williamstown, an ill-timed ankle injury threatened to derail Dawson’s chances of being picked up in the mid-season draft.

Arriving to Arden Street in a moon boot almost a month ago, he was on a restricted three-quarter match load against the Bullants, but that should increase in the coming weeks.

The wet and muddy conditions at Arden Street on Sunday would have provided a stern test for Dawson’s body, and he says he got through the clash unscathed.

“I should be right to play a full game next week. The plan was always to play three quarters and just try to get through,” he said.

“One of my favourite parts of footy is being able to crack in and get involved in the physical side of the game, and the conditions were perfect to be able to do that. I had a lot of fun.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to play some good footy in the VFL and then push my name up for the seniors. All I can do is focus on my own performance and try to help the team win.

“If I do that then I think I’ll be in a pretty good place for the rest of the year.”