By Andrew Wiles – @andrewjwiles
Friday nights NAB Challenge clash between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans will see another Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy graduate get his opportunity at the elite level.
Liam Dawson, taken by Brisbane at pick 44 in the 2014 national draft, will don the Lions jumper for the first time when he takes the field at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.
Richmond initially bid their pick 31 for Dawson, but under academy draft selection rules, Brisbane used their next live selection to pick up the rebounding defender.
Dawson gets his chance to strut his stuff on the big stage just six days after watching fellow Queenslander Harris Andrews successfully debut against St Kilda.
The 188cm swingman turned defender played his junior football at the Redcliffe Tigers, before moving over to the Aspley Hornets in the under 16’s.
2013 was the year that Dawson stated his draft claims.
As a 17 year old, he made his senior debut in the NEAFL, represented Queensland in the under 18 national carnival as a bottom age player, was joint winner of the Hunter Harrison Medal for the best player in Division Two, was named in the All-Australian under 18 team of the year, and was selected in the AFL-AIS squad.
2014 saw Dawson play a key role in Queensland’s TAC Cup and under 18’s national carnival team.
After impressing on the track over summer, he has been given the nod by Lions coaching staff.
With the number 24 on his back, Dawson will run out along side a star-studded Brisbane lineup, as coach Justin Leppitsch continues to play his strongest team possible each week in the NAB Challenge.
The Lions will play their next NAB Challenge match in Queensland on Friday, March 20, when they take on the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.
All information regarding the NAB Challenge and purchasing tickets can be found 
HERE.
