Max Gawn inks new long-term deal to stay at Melbourne until at least 2025
Demon Max Gawn has signed a new deal, but he would trade all his individual accolades for the success enjoyed by Tiger ruck counterpart Toby Nankervis.
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Re-signed Melbourne captain Max Gawn says the Demons’ blue-chip midfield group has harnessed a more selfless attitude to help realise its enormous potential this season.
Gawn, 29, has signed a four-year deal at Melbourne to ensure the brilliant ruckman and popular skipper will play out his career with the Demons until at least 2025.
The four time All-Australian and two-time best-and-fairest winner is one of the most decorated and influential ruckmen in the game who defied a serious torn back muscle last year.
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Gawn said he had to complete a specific rehabilitation program over summer to finally overcome the injury and was desperate to help lead the club to an elusive flag.
And in an encouraging sign the young Melbourne midfield had matured in 2021, Gawn said the playing group had identified it had to become a more selfless and team-oriented group to deliver on its collective potential.
“I think we have four of the best midfielders in the top-20 of the competition potentially involved in our club in (Christian) Petracca, (Clayton) Oliver, (Angus) Brayshaw and (Jack) Viney,” Gawn told the Herald Sun.
“But definitely last year we weren’t in the top-eight midfields, so it shows it takes a lot more than talent in the centre bounce.
“You’ve got to actually galvanise as a group and play selfless footy and that takes time to develop as much as your body does and as much as your skills do.
“Richmond just didn’t click their fingers overnight to become this incredibly selfless group, Geelong as well.
“So that is something we have been working on and that has been noted the past two years. It is a slow burn, and it is a developing part of our game.
“But there has been some good work on that, and we have added guys to that mix with James Jordon and Tom Sparrow and James Harmes as well, so hopefully it is going to be a much better team effort from our midfield group.”
After missing finals for a second-straight year last season, Gawn said the playing group took it upon themselves to address the issues which had held the team back.
And the signs over the pre-season had been encouraging, he said.
“We definitely as a playing group addressed some red flags that you thought you saw during the year,” Gawn said.
“I wrote a lot of notes down in the last few weeks of the hub talking to lots of different people, and what we wanted to do was actually act on it as a group this year.
“Throughout my years at the footy club, you always say ‘we want a team of player ownership, player ownership’, but this year it finally feels like we have got it.
“And that is ‘Goody’ (Simon Goodwin) as well, allowing us to be ourselves within the program.”
Delighted to commit to a long-term contract on the eve of the season, Gawn said he still felt physically fresh after missing the bulk of his first few seasons with serious knee injuries.
But he said the individual awards meant little compared to the ultimate team prize.
“There is still one thing I haven’t got yet which I am pretty keen to get and that is what keeps me driven,” he said.
“I have had some individual accolades along the way and you realise they don’t really mean as much as what (Tigers’ ruckman) Toby Nankervis has — as a three-time premiership ruckman.
“I would much rather his resume.”
YOUNG DEMON BOLTS INTO MIX FOR ROUND 1 DEBUT
Melbourne midfielder James Jordon has emerged as a surprise contender for a Round 1 berth against Fremantle.
Jordon, 20, has been one of the biggest improvers over the pre-season and is in the frame to make his debut against the Dockers as part of the Demons’ star-studded engine room.
Coach Simon Goodwin already has one of the most talented midfield brigades at his disposal but his growing confidence in the 186cm Jordon shows the coach will be prepared to mix things up in the middle more this season.
Jordon, who is a hard-at-it ballwinner, is set to be handed another chance to impress when the Demons step up their preparation for the regular season against the Western Bulldogs in Monday’s AAMI Community Series game at Marvel Stadium.
And Majak Daw will make his first appearance in a Melbourne jumper in the VFL game this weekend as the versatile tall looks to rebuild his fitness back to AFL level.
Daw has admitted he remains a way off pushing for AFL selection after a last-minute call-up from the Demons to help bolster their key position stocks after finishing up at North Melbourne last year.
Daw, 29, was listed largely as back-up however the athletic swingman could be thrust into the spotlight if the Demons suffer another injury to any of their talls.
The former Roo was one of the most inspirational stories of the season last year when he made his comeback to AFL level from horrific hip and pelvis injuries.
But Kobe Farmer, the son of club great Jeff, looks unlikely to be offered a spot on the club’s list after a summer training stint.
Jordon was taken with pick No.33 in the 2018 national draft and has turned heads this summer with his contested work and clean skills in traffic.
The Caulfield Grammar product said he wanted to challenge for a senior berth this year after suffering a finger problem last season.
“I felt like I was ready at the end of last year but another full pre-season will have only benefited me and I’ll be ready to go when that opportunity comes,” Jordon said.
Utility Joel Smith has suffered a fresh injury setback with the high-leaping defender dislocating a finger at training on Wednesday at Casey Fields.
Smith was taken from the ground for treatment and was in some discomfort as medicos attempted to put his finger back in place.
Star midfielder Angus Brayshaw is set to make his return from foot surgery through the VFL this weekend, while Jack Viney is set to resume playing through the VFL the week after.
Viney remains in a race to be fit for Round 1 after foot surgery, with the club indicating it won’t risk the brave ballwinner until he is ready.
Veteran defender Neville Jetta is also on track to reclaim his position in the senior side after losing his spot in the best 22 last season.
Jetta is expected to be in the team as a lock down defender against the Dogs at Marvel Stadium and Round 1 if his strong training form continues.
Tom McDonald is also set to play a crucial key forward-wing role in the absence of Ben Brown and Sam Weideman who will start the season on the sidelines after surgeries.
Jake Melksham completed some running on Monday as he works back from a hamstring injury.
NEW RULE GIVES DASHING VFL STAR SHOT WITH DEMONS
– Marc McGowan
Melbourne’s newest potential signing could prove the Demons’ secret weapon with the AFL’s new man-on-the-mark rule.
Werribee defender Kye Declase has scored an invite to train with Simon Goodwin’s squad, joining fellow wannabe Dees Majak Daw, Kobe Farmer – son of club great Jeff – and Deakyn Smith.
Former Werribee coach Mark Williams, now a development coach at Melbourne, is a big fan of Declase and was pivotal in setting up his audition.
Declase is a 195cm halfback – not a one-on-one, lockdown defender – who boasts excellent kicking skills and elite speed that the VFL Tigers unleashed at every opportunity.
The 24-year-old had a license under Williams to tuck the Sherrin under his arm and dash down the field.
Those qualities loom as ideal for the circumstances created by the AFL’s man-on-the-mark rule, which will be in place for the first time this season.
Demons defender Jake Lever believes the extra time the new rule creates for players with the ball will lead to more offensive football this year, including teams increasingly attacking through the corridor.
Declase may become an AFL footballer within days, given the pre-season supplemental selection period’s March 9 deadline is rapidly approaching.
Declase and Daw are both likely to play on Monday against the Western Bulldogs, a day before the deadline, but possibly in the reserves rather than seniors.
Clubs will revert to usual playing rules in the AAMI Community Series, with 22-man squads rather than the extra numbers they could send out in practice games.
16 touches at 94%, 9 marks & a strong showing in multiple positions vs Collingwood has earned the versatile Kye Declase this round's @GordonTAFE Player of the Week nod. He caught up with assistant coach @jfitzpatrick_t1 earlier this week 👇 #leaveyourmarkhttps://t.co/gp3mWcx4Zs
— Werribee FC (@WerribeeFC) July 11, 2019
Daw started training with the Demons in mid-February, but didn’t play in either of last week’s practice matches against Richmond, because the medical staff were wary about playing him off limited AFL-level conditioning.
The ex-Kangaroo swingman was delisted after the 2020 season and planned to play grassroots football at North Heidelberg until the Melbourne opportunity arose.
Declase started his VFL career at the Northern Blues, but struggled for senior opportunities because of the club’s then-affiliation with Carlton.
He played up forward when he first crossed to Werribee, but has flourished since going down back, where’s he’s better been able to use his strengths.
The Demons have two list vacancies, but that could double if they choose to place Marty Hore and Aaron Nietschke on the inactive list after their respective ACL setbacks.
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