Dawson has played 15 games as a member of a Freo defence that has conceded the second fewest points in the competition this season behind Sydney.
But despite statistics clearly showing the club’s backline is doing something right, the former Hawthorn and St Kilda player has continued to be jeered at home games and receive constant social media backlash from fans.
"There are some people who live in a fool's paradise," Lyon said on 6PR’s Sports Today yesterday.
"I hear the hype and the rumblings, but I just think I'll back my knowledge in about how to defend and play against the average punter.
"At the end of the day, no one knows our players.”
Lyon said Dawson had defended terrifically against North Melbourne on the weekend and had only played one bad game all season which was his second match back from an injury.
"North Melbourne took five marks in their forward 50 and their key forwards, who average seven goals a week, kicked three,” he said.
