ZAC Dawson has been appointed in the role of Carlton’s Next Generation Academy Manager.

With 166 games of experience at Hawthorn, St Kilda and Fremantle, Dawson had an AFL career spanning 14 years which also included 17 finals (four Grand Finals).

In his role, Dawson will be managing the Next Generation Academy across Carlton’s AFL and AFLW programs. It’s a sign of Carlton’s further investment into attracting, retaining and developing emerging talent in Melbourne’s northern corridor.

Speaking at Ikon Park, Dawson said he was keen to get started after being welcomed into Carlton’s inner sanctum earlier on Friday.

“We’ll be working through the northern corridor trying to find some elite talent and get them integrated in the football club," Dawson said.

"There’s a lot of untapped talent in the northern corridor. My role will be both growing participation and developing potential talent in our zone.”

Dawson will work closely with the talent coming through the Northern Knights and the Club’s NGA region, including Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Banyule, Darebin and Yarra.

In what he said was a “rollercoaster journey”, Dawson believes the lessons learned in his career will play its part as he mentors the next generation of emerging talent.

“I ended up playing 14 years in the AFL, but it was never smooth sailing for me,” he said.

“I think it holds me in good stead, to teach these young kids resilience and to not take no for an answer.

“I think having that experience under my belt will help me mentor these kids and even the families, to get through those tough times with the little things I learnt along the way.”

Zac Dawson played 166 games across three different clubs. (Photo: AFL Media)

The Next Generation Academies are a joint initiative between the AFL and its clubs. They’re aimed at growing participation in the under-represented segments of the community and increasing the talent pool of Indigenous and multicultural players.

Each club has its own geographic region, with participants having access to a Club-based talent program including top-level coaching and facilities.

Dawson said he was looking forward to overseeing both the junior boys and girls programs, outlining the latter as a significant growth area for the game.

“Female participation is a very important part of the program. That’s where a lot of growth in the AFL is going to come from,” he said.

“You’ve seen a boom in the last few years… I’’m really excited to get into the grassroots part of football and seeing them come through, and one day potentially represent the Carlton Football Club.”