NEW ST KILDA defender Zac Dawson has admitted he did not want to continue his AFL career after Hawthorn delisted him last year.

Speaking to saints.com.au, Dawson said he was ready to turn his back on football after managing just 14 games in four years as a Hawk.

"I didn’t know whether I’d be up for it mentally," he said.

"Last year I was on the fringe for the whole season and I didn’t want to go through another year without the opportunity to play."

In a wide-ranging interview, Dawson spoke candidly about his initial reluctance to play on until a discussion with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, his infamous duel with Collingwood's Anthony Rocca and the lack of self-belief that has followed him in the three years since.

Dawson said his main motivation in the lead-up to his St Kilda debut against the Sydney Swans last week was proving he still had a lot to offer at the elite level.

"I probably had a point to prove to myself," he said. "I was my biggest doubter over the last couple of years. I wasn’t playing and I started to question whether I had it or not.

"When I’m playing, I’m not trying to earn respect off people watching. I’m trying to earn respect off the guys I’m playing with."

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