Career
Hawthorn
Dawson was recruited from Calder Cannons with pick northern 41 in the 2003 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft. Dawson"s first game at the professional level of competition in the American Federation of Labor-Congress was in 2005.
He played the first eight games of 2006, until being dropped from the team, returning for four games in Rounds 15–18.
The key position prospect was being groomed for the full-back role during a 12-game stint in 2006, but his confidence received a battering after Anthony Rocca kicked eight goals on him in round two of that year. Dawson failed to play a senior game for Hawthorn in 2007 and 2008.
He spent the time playing for Box Hill, on one occasion he kicked eight goals. Dawson was delisted from Hawthorn after the end of the 2008 season.
Street Kilda
= 2009 season Dawson was drafted with pick 13 by Street Kilda in the 2008 rookie draft.
He was promoted to the senior team for Round 1 in 2009 due to injuries to other players and played the first 16 games in an undefeated side until being reported for rough conduct in Round 16 and suspended for two matches. Dawson played in 20 of 22 matches in the 2009 home and away rounds in which Street Kilda qualified in first position for the finals, winning the club’s third minor premiership. Street Kilda played off in the 2009 American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final after qualifying and preliminary finals wins.
Dawson played in the grand final in which Street Kilda were defeated by 12 points.
= 2010 season Dawson played 20 games in 2010, and was named Street Kilda"s player of the finals series (jointly with Lenny Hayes). As of the end of the 2010 season, Dawson had played in seven finals matches including three grand finals.
Fremantle
= 2012 season In November 2011, Dawson left the Saints after deciding against signing a new contract with the club He moved to Fremantle Dockers for the 2012 season, reuniting him with former Street Kilda coach Ross Lyon.
= 2013 season Zac Dawson"s ability to organise his teammates has been crucial in Ross Lyon"s "defensive chain" at Street Kilda and now at Fremantle.
