Peter and Marilyn Dawson have watched their son Zac play in three grand finals for St Kilda, experiencing two heart-breaking losses and a draw.
But they have a feeling it could be fourth time lucky this Saturday when Zac runs out with Fremantle against Hawthorn.
Watching the open training session from the balcony at Freo HQ on Tuesday morning, Peter and Marilyn were feeling pretty relaxed, much like their son Zac, apparently.
“We’ve been in this position three times before, I think this one is a lot different, well at this stage anyway,” Peter said.
“We’re in Perth away from all the hype so things seem a little relaxed.
“We feel good, Zac feels good, he doesn’t change, he’s very laid back.
“It may all change when we get home though.”
Peter and Marilyn flew over to Perth last Thursday.
They watched Fremantle beat Sydney at Patersons Stadium on Saturday in a preliminary final, and are heading back to Melbourne just in time to experience Melbourne in all its grand final week glory.
Footy tragics often describe Melbourne in September as ‘The Mecca of Football’ as fans travel from far and wide to involve themselves in finals footy.
The Dawsons know what they’re in for when they get home.
“It all changes when you get back to Melbourne, I think Freo fans are going to get a big shock when they arrive,” Peter said.
“Watching the grand final parade is an amazing experience.”
One of four siblings, Zac grew up supporting Hawthorn.
“He had posters of Shane Crawford on his wall when he was a kid,” Peter said.
He was also given his first opportunity at playing AFL at Hawthorn.
“A lot of his old friends are from Hawthorn, but that won’t bother him,” Marilyn said.
Come grand final day the Dawsons know what to expect.
They live in Docklands, so they’ll get up, have a family breakfast then wander over to the MCG.
Their advice to Zac resonates with the teachings of his senior coach, Ross Lyon.
“Keep it normal, don’t change, just do what you always have,” Peter said.
“We try and keep things as normal as possible, especially if we are around the boys, you can’t be seen to be anxious.”
Having experienced the extreme lows of a grand final loss, the Dawsons are optimistic about their post-game mood come Saturday.
“Going into the rooms in a losing environment is something you don't want to witness, it's quite a dramatic time for the players,” Marilyn said.
“But this time, hopefully, we don't have to worry.
“There will be tears, but I’m hoping they will be tears of joy.”
