North Melbourne's promising key position player Wil Dawson is set for a delayed start to the preseason after undergoing surgery on his left AC joint.
The 19-year-old had the procedure last week following persistent shoulder pain that developed post-season, according to the club's update.
Dawson first injured his shoulder during North Melbourne's Round 12 victory against West Coast at Optus Stadium.
The initial AC joint injury sidelined the 200cm defender for six weeks, limiting his involvement in the latter part of the 2024 season. He eventually returned to action in the VFL in mid-July but experienced ongoing discomfort in the shoulder after the season concluded.
North Melbourne's general manager of football, Todd Viney, provided insights into the decision for surgery, highlighting the focus on Dawson's long-term health and career development.
"Wil had reported some persisting symptoms, so the decision was made for him to undergo a further surgical procedure to give him the best long-term outcome as a young footballer," Viney said.
The timeline for Dawson's recovery indicates that while he is expected to resume running before Christmas, he may not rejoin full-contact training until the new year, potentially impacting his availability for the early part of the 2025 season.
"The operation may affect his early 2025 season, but we are aiming for him to be back to running soon," added Viney.
Dawson made his AFL debut in Round 10 of the 2024 season against Essendon and played a total of three senior games. He was one of North Melbourne's most highly-rated draftees from the 2023 AFL Draft, taken with pick No.22 from Gippsland Power.
Despite a disrupted first year at AFL level, his versatility and aerial prowess have been key attributes that the club hopes to harness in the future.
After the season, Dawson signed a one-year contract extension alongside fellow first-year Roos Riley Hardeman and Finnbar Maley, securing his place at North Melbourne until the end of 2026. The young tall has shown promise as a versatile asset, capable of playing both in defence and as a forward option.