Teenager Isabel Dawes is intent on continuing her great form after being named a Round 1 AFLW Rising Star nominee, for her impressive performance on Sunday.
The agile midfielder produced 21 disposals, five marks and three tackles during Brisbane Lions’ 29-point win over the Tigers in east Melbourne.
“I watched it (afterwards) and that was a really good game. I’m still buzzing,” she said.
Coach Craig Starcevich called her to let her know she was a Rising Star nominee and she’s since been inundated by congratulatory messages.
“It’s been blowing up on my phone, in group chats and on Instagram,” she said. “It’s crazy.”
She won’t settle for that performance though.
“I’m a bit nervous, thinking I’ve got to back it up. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, stay grounded and humble.”
Dawes, 19, is originally from Victoria but moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2014 and played for Coolum Beach as a junior.
She then played for Wilston Grange in Brisbane and was a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy.
In recent years she has played for the Maroochydore Roos in the Queensland competition, alongside fellow Lions Lily Postlethwaite and Shannon Campbell.
Dawes was selected at No.15 in the first round of the Draft at the end of October in 2019 and ended up playing seven games for the Lions in her maiden AFLW campaign in 2020.
“In my first year I felt like I was just getting my confidence,” she said
“This year I’ve come in with a bit more confidence and I’ve worked really hard in the preseason,” she said.
“I just went out there and played footy (on Sunday) and wasn’t really worried. I just enjoyed it.”
Dawes is developing a reputation as a hard-working and elusive inside player but she’s eager to improve this season.
“I want to be way more fit,” she said.
“The more fit you are the more ball you get, and I want to try and get more ball.”
The Lions will next meet Geelong at Hickey Park in north Brisbane on Sunday.
“It’s our first home game so I’m pretty pumped. I played a season at Wilson Grange there, so I’m familiar with the ground and am keen to get out there,” she said.
