Gawn in new Demon deal, as Laird recommits to Crows

Melbourne players looked at one another at the end of last year and realised the difference between finals and premierships was not talent, game plan or fitness but attitude.

The Demons players committed to be more selfless and team-first in a drive not to squander the talent they have on their list.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn on Thursday. He has signed a new four-year deal with the club.Credit: Joe Armao

“We feel like in pre-season we have stronger minds and heads and people who can handle pressure,” Demons captain Max Gawn said.

“We said basically what do we want to get out of playing for Melbourne? Where do we want to get to as a club? So far we have been able to stick to it but there is a real eagerness to be selfless.

“Definitely mentality is the critical shift for us. We have a great skill set, we have Darren Burgess who has brought in an elite fitness level – aside from a couple of tall forwards at the moment, Goody has a good game plan and something we believe in. It is the attitude that is the difference for us [to be successful].

“We have real talent and we are not using it, we are not using it in the right way. Richmond had talent and didn’t become a selfless team with a click of the fingers, it took time and work and we have been working at that.”

Gawn admitted that the players reviewed the year last year, missing the finals again and finishing ninth and wondered if they were squandering their talent.

Max Gawn says the players have committed to be more selfless and team-first.Credit: Joe Armao

“It’s the first time I have been at the club where I have been surrounded [by] genuine stars: two elite midfielders in the midfield in Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, Steven May and Jake Lever down back, we have stars all over the field. In my first 11 years I was not able to say any name other Nathan Jones.

“Definitely from a midfield point of view last year – and I am biased, I am a Melbourne supporter – but you go through Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney, Petracca, Oliver are all elite and were sitting around ninth,” he said of the players’ drive to better exploit the talent.

The 29-year-old charismatic ruckman has signed a new four-year contract, simultaneously closing out the idea of free agency this year – as if as captain that was ever a serious consideration – and making certain he ends his career at Melbourne.

He feels that after being interrupted in his emergence in the AFL that his career didn’t really get started until he was 22, so he will be physically able to play until he is 34. He looks to Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands as his inspiration for that.

His own changing role this year is emblematic of a shift at Melbourne, where the individual’s game is secondary to team needs.

The emergence of Luke Jackson as a genuine ruck and forward means Gawn will spend more time forward than previously as Melbourne play a more forward-pressure game.

Against Richmond in the practice match last week Gawn went to the fewest centre bounces he has attended in a game in the last five years.

“This week against the Dogs I might do 100 per cent. It’s not as predictable. My value to the team is the most important. I love to ruck but it is what the team needs and that is what will determine the balance. I have got to develop as a forward so we can develop as a team,” he said. “If I can develop some stuff up forward I can give Goody more options.”

Gawn said he was desperate to be part of an era of success at Melbourne.

“Melbourne football club speaks so loudly in my ears. We have a great history but a poor recent history and I would love to be involved with the team that changes that,” he said.

“I would love to be a part of that and I feel this group has something that can do it.”

Meanwhile All-Australian defender Rory Laird is set to turn his back on free agency and commit to the Crows for another five years.

The long-term deal will lock the running ball magnet in until 2026 which will see him with Adelaide until he turns 32.

Laird has been one of the Crows most consistent performers in a turbulent period for the club and successfully made the move from defence to the midfield in 2020 under first year coach Matthew Nicks.

He was initially offered a three year deal but was seeking a long term deal.

He is expected to remain in that role in 2021 as the Crows look to add some run through the middle in the absence of Brad Crouch, who joined St Kilda, and Wayne Milera, who is out for six to nine months with a leg injury.

The Crows finished on the bottom last season but are in the middle of an aggressive rebuild and began to show signs late last season they would be more competitive in 2021 when they won three of their last four games.

They added Riley Thilthorpe at pick two after the Western Bulldogs matched their bid at No.1 for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Luke Pedlar at pick 11.

The club are also moving closer to a resolution involving small forward Ty Stengle who continues to train with his old club Woodville-West Torrens after being stood down from the club for an off field matter in December.

With Peter Ryan