Of course, Hudson is talking about Dawes - Chris Dawes, the Collingwood premiership forward, who he feels is ready to 'break on through' into the top bracket of forwards.
“I am a big Dawes fan,” Hudson volunteers.
“Of all the full-forwards going around at the moment, I think he’s got the best potential.
“Considering the way he’s improved over the past 12 months, I think he’s got the ability to become one of the best forwards in the game.
“I actually think he could kick 100 goals in a season.”
It’s a big call - especially considering Dawes, 23 in May, has slotted just 40 goals in his 30 AFL games (including 30 in 15 games in the Pies' 2010 premiership year), with a best effort of four - but it comes from one of the most credible sources imaginable.
There is no greater authority on goalkicking and forward play than AFL Legend Hudson, who topped 100 goals in the last five of his six completed seasons with the Hawks, amassed an equal league record of 150 goals in 1971, and who still holds the record for the greatest goals-per-game average in league history (5.64).
“I reckon Dawes is the best thing that’s happened to Collingwood,” Hudson says.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s a great competitor, and he’s got a great, clean pair of hands.
“His teammates aren’t frightened of going straight to him for a one-on-one, either, because they have such confidence in his ability to compete and mark.
“He’s really only into his second year as a key forward but, boy, has he made a difference.
“He has become a very important player for Collingwood. Take him out of their side and they don’t have the confidence to go to anyone else like they go to him.
“He’s got the ability, the strength and the size to outmark anyone, with the possible exception of (Brian) Lake.
“In the NAB Cup he looked like he went to another level with his marking. He’d go bang - clunk.
“And he’s also a good, purposeful kick for goal. Everything seems to move in a straight line towards the target, which is really important. He can kick them from a long way out, too, which helps.”
