The Adelaide Crows have made the difficult decision to rule out captain Jordan Dawson for this weekend’s clash as the club rallies around him following the tragic death of his brother.
Jaryd Dawson, 35, was found dead on Wednesday after a desperate search was launched when he went missing from the South Australian town of Robe on Tuesday afternoon.
Police later confirmed there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding his death.
The Crows confirmed Dawson would not play, listing him as out due to personal reasons as the club prioritises his wellbeing during an unimaginably difficult time.
‘Jordan is a much-loved and respected leader, and the club will be guided by him and his family as we provide the appropriate care and support,’ the club said in a statement.
Teammates have been left shattered by the loss, with ruckman Reilly O’Brien admitting the emotional toll has been profound.
Jordan Dawson will not lead his beloved Adelaide Crows out this weekend after the death of his brother
The last photo Jaryd Dawson’s wife Jessica took of him and their baby son Hudson
Jaryd is pictured right with his AFL star brother Jordan and sister Chloe
‘It’s horrible. It’s heartbreaking for Jordan and the whole family,’ he said.
‘It’s one of those things that is hard to process. We’re just doing all we can to wrap our arms around him and his family. It’s an incredibly tragic time.
‘We’ll do whatever we can to support him when he gets back and also support guys around the club and make sure we’re supporting everyone because it can be really triggering.’
Jaryd’s death has sent shockwaves through both the football world and his tight-knit local community, where he was widely respected as a businessman, footballer and friend.
He co-founded Domus Design & Build and was deeply involved with the Robe Roosters football club, where he was known as a popular and well-liked figure.
Close friend and business partner Sam Huebner paid an emotional tribute following the tragedy.
‘I’m so sorry you had to go through this alone,’ he wrote.
‘We will always love and miss you mate. Thanks for being a friend, business partner, brother, someone to lean on and talk shit together.
The club made the difficult decision to let their captain grieve after the shock incident
Jordan Dawson has had his brother’s birth date tattooed on his ankle
‘I will cherish our friendship for the rest of my life. Rest easy my brother.’
The heartbreak has been felt most deeply by Jaryd’s young family.
His wife, Jessica Carter Dawson, shared a devastating post alongside the final photo she took of her husband with their baby son Hudson, just two days before his death.
‘The last photo I took of my boys, just two days prior,’ she wrote.
‘I was feeling so incredibly rich in life.
‘Now my heart is shattered into a million pieces.
‘Huddy and I will love you and miss you forever and ever and ever.’
Jessica had earlier issued a desperate plea for information when Jaryd went missing, writing: ‘If anyone has heard from Jaryd since around 2.30pm yesterday please please let us know.’
The tragedy has cast a heavy shadow over Adelaide’s preparation for their upcoming match, with former players and commentators acknowledging football has taken a back seat.
‘Jordan Dawson, you just don’t see any way he will play and shouldn’t be playing,’ former captain Mark Bickley said.
‘When you are as close as you get as a footy team, to see something like this happen and the impact that it has on an individual and their family, that makes it really hard to say ‘OK boys, let’s get fired up about playing a game’.
‘Literally, the perspective part of this sort of says, this game is important, but is it really important when we see what our best mate is going through? It diminishes it a little bit.’
The club’s focus now remains firmly on supporting their captain and his family as they navigate the devastating loss, with players and staff united in grief.
If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
