Max Gawn is a dominant force in the ruck, while stats say Tom Hawkins is back to his best

HAS Max Gawn taken over as the number one ruckman in the competition? See some quirky stats from Round 7. VOTE AND HAVE YOUR SAY

Max Gawn kicks a goal during the Round 7 AFL game between the Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne Demons at Metricon Stadium, Carrara. Pics Adam Head

HAS Max Gawn taken over as the number one ruckman in the competition?

For the last couple of years North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein has clearly been the game’s best big man, but the emergence of Gawn has helped Melbourne enjoy its best start to the season in years.

The 24-year-old is in career-best form and is influencing games more than ever, with his ability to take contested marks and kick goals elevating his status.

On Saturday night against Gold Coast, Gawn had another outstanding game with 17 disposals (13 contested), six clearances, five tackles, four marks, two goals, 46 hit outs and a massive 174 SuperCoach points.

He is ranked no.1 for average hit outs per game with 41.1 but most importantly, he wins a hit out to advantage from 20 per cent of ruck contests — ranked No.1 in the competition.

No wonder Melbourne is the no.1 clearance team in the competition and Jack Viney ranked top three for clearances.

Max Gawn was dominant against Gold Coast on Saturday. Picture: Adam Head

Speaking of dominant big men, how well is Tom Hawkins travelling?

The Cats forward has struggled in recent times with a back injury but he seems to have overcome that and is getting back to the dominant big man we all know he is.

At his best, Hawkins is rarely beaten in one-on-one contests and so far in 2016 has won 45 per cent of his 29 offensive one-on-ones — ranked No.1 in the league.

He has also booted 17 goals and is ranked in the top 10 for contested marks.

Hawthorn might also have rediscovered its best after dominating Richmond in the final term on Friday night.

With the game delicately poised at three-quarter time, the champs went on to score 56 points in the final term — its second most points in a final quarter since 2012 — to obliterate the Tigers.

QUIRKY ROUND 7 STATS

1. LUKE Breust kicked an equal career-high six goals against the Tigers last week. His previous best against Richmond was three goals back in 2012.

2. HAWTHORN scored 56 points in the final quarter against Richmond — its second-most in a final quarter since 2012.

3. CARLTON launched 30 points from defensive 50 chains against Collingwood — its most since Round 14, 2014.

4. TOM Hawkins has won 45% of his 29 offensive 1-1 contests this season — ranked No.1 in the competition.

Tom Hawkins is back to his best. Picture: George Salpigtidis

5. LEWIS Jetta has finished with less than 11 disposals in 12 of his past 68 matches since the start of 2013.

6. MELBOURNE kicked 105 points in the second half against Gold Coast — its equal-most in any half since 1999.

7. MAX Gawn has won a hitout-to-advantage from 20% of ruck contests — ranked No.1 in the competition.

8. DANIEL Talia is averaging a career-high six intercept possessions per game this season. He is also averaging a career-high 14 disposals per game.

9. OVER the last two weeks, the Giants have scored 134 points from clearances — 24 more points than any other side.

10. LEIGH Montagna has spent 85% of game-time in defence this season, averaging 29 disposals per game — the second-most of his career.

Stats: Champion Data