North Melbourne will unveil its sixth AFL debutant for 2024 on Sunday afternoon, with Wil Dawson set to play his first AFL game against Essendon at Marvel Stadium. 

Standing at 200cm, Dawson was selected by the Roos with pick No.22 in the 2023 AFL Draft as a key position prospect from the Gippsland Power.

Hailing from Leongatha Junior Football Club, he excelled at underage football at either end of the ground.

Dawson, whose late December birthday made him only just eligible for last year’s AFL draft, began 2023 as a forward in the Gippsland and Victorian Country programs before finding his home in defence as the year progressed. 

Since coming to the Roos, the 18-year-old has played five games at VFL level and won plaudits from his coaches and teammates through his toughness in the air and at ground level. 

He found out he would make his AFL debut as Shinboner No.1064 this weekend during Friday afternoon’s team meeting. 

Dawson becomes the fourth debutant from the Roos’ 2023 draft class, joining Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma and Riley Hardeman. He also joins mature-age recruits Toby Pink and Tyler Sellers who made their AFL debuts earlier this season.

He will wear the No.18 made famous by premiership skipper Wayne Carey, premiership player Paul Feltham, as well as Jock McCorkell, Tom Allison and Shaun Atley.