WESTERN Storm forward Glenn Dawson is enjoying the transition this season from the SANFL to the Tasmanian State League.
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The 24-year-old forward hails from a country town in South Australia called Balaklava, an hour and half drive north of Adelaide.
He played in the SANFL with Woodville-West Torrens and was picked up by Port Adelaide in the 2008 AFL draft where he spent a couple of seasons before returning to country football followed by another stint in the SANFL.
‘‘I came to Tasmania this year with my wife. My connection with the Western Storm came about from some people she knew, and I grew up playing with and against Daniel Trevena, who also said that it would be a good club to go to,’’ Dawson said.
‘‘The Tasmanian State League is a really good comp and a high level and I am playing with a good bunch of lads.
‘‘We have had a disappointing start to the season, but I think we have the personnel to get back on track pretty quickly – it will only take a win to get us going and hopefully the game against Clarence gets us up and about and gets some confidence back in the side and what we are doing.
‘‘My own form has been at an average standard at this stage – I’ve probably lacked a bit of fitness at the moment just, with the move over here and lacking a pre-season as well.’’
A former South Australian police officer, Dawson is undertaking a training course to join Tasmania Police.
‘‘I have been trying to train with the Mariners squad at the moment, while I am based in Hobart, and travelling up for the games with the Storm on Saturdays,’’ he said.
‘‘The morale in the group is still good – we know we have been in control of games for most of them and it is just a matter of finishing games off.
‘‘I am pretty sure I will stick around at the Storm next year – they are a brilliant bunch of blokes with a good coach and I reckon we have the personnel to take the next step from last year.’’