Retiring Fremantle players Zac Dawson and Garrick Ibbotson will sign-off from their long careers after Sunday’s WAFL Grand Final, when affiliate side Peel Thunder take on Subiaco at Domain Stadium.
There was no farewell game for either at Freo – Dawson played his last AFL game in round two against Port Adelaide and Ibbotson in round 10 against Adelaide.
Seeing their AFL careers coming to an end, both remained focused on delivering a season with Peel - helping Fremantle in the long-run by passing on their knowledge and experience to group of developing young players.
Dawson said it was important to be able to play out the Peel season alongside Ibbotson.
“When thinking that this might be my last year, I really wanted to have a good attitude about it all. I wanted to be remembered positively and not as someone who was a bit bitter,” Dawson said.
“Garrick has been the same as me, he’s really brought a great attitude. He and I have a really good relationship as well, so it’s been good to have him down there as well.”
Despite wanting to see Ibbotson play in Freo’s AFL side, he admitted being happy to have a fellow senior player at Peel.
“We bounce things off each other and try and generate some real positivity down there,” Dawson said.
“It’s been really nice to have him down there, as much as I’d like to see him playing for Freo, it’s been really good to have him at Peel as well."
Dawson said he was looking forward to the next phase of his life as he moves back to his native Victoria with his family.
“My wife’s been amazing since the very beginning. She’s supported me through all the ups and downs,” Dawson said.
“(Life post-football) is going to be a big change, but in the meantime my wife and I and our daughter are going to be moving back to Melbourne pre-Christmas.
“It’s exciting and a bit daunting at the same time but I’m ready to get back to Melbourne and get a bit more of my family around and experience having their granddaughter around. I think it will be good.”
After being delisted by Hawthorn in 2008, Dawson was picked up by Ross Lyon at St Kilda, where he played in four grand finals under Lyon at the Saints and Fremantle.
Not only did Lyon give Dawson the belief to find success as a lock-down defender, Dawson said Lyon’s leadership has played a significant role in his life outside of football.
“Ross hass probably been the biggest reason for me still being here today. He kind of rescued me off the scrap heap once I was delisted,” Dawson said.
“When someone believes in you the whole way long, it's been massive, and it’s built belief in myself throughout my footy career and my career post-footy.
“He’s been a really big rock for me.”
