Wednesday 2 March 2011
WAFL premiership coach Brian Dawson has accepted an invitation to lead WA against Queensland in June despite no longer being at the helm of Swan Districts.
The league stuck by its tradition of asking the reigning premiership coach to take charge of the State side in a year when the annual clash will coincide with the official opening of Mandurah’s redeveloped Bendigo Bank Stadium.
The match, scheduled for June 18, will be played at Peel Thunder’s home ground, a month after the expected completion of a $9 million transformation of the ground into one of the WAFL’s best.
Dawson stood aside as league coach at Swans due to overseas work commitments in the wake of last year’s one-point premiership victory over Claremont, having taken the black and whites to two grand finals and a preliminary final during his tenure.
He said taking on the six-week program was a manageable task before he leaves the country for most of July.
“It’s probably been a little odd at times not coaching, not being at training as I have been for several years,” Dawson said.
“I’m comfortable with where it’s at and looking forward to the honour of coaching the State side.
“It’s not something that becomes available to too many.”
