Melbourne captain Max Gawn could miss up to five weeks of football with an ankle injury

The hits keep coming for reigning AFL premiers Melbourne, with an injury to Max Gawn after three straight losses.

Max Gawn could miss up to five weeks with injury. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

After three straight losses Melbourne’s premiership defence has been dealt another huge blow, with captain Max Gawn to miss up to five weeks with a syndesmosis injury.

Gawn hurt both his back and ankle in Monday’s Queen’s Birthday’s loss to Collingwood and was in a moon boot on Tuesday as he went for scans.

They revealed the bad news for the reigning champs, and while the injury doesn’t require surgery, Gawn may be out until the final rounds of the home-and-away season.

“Max had a left ankle concern during the game and, while he managed to battle through, was quite sore afterwards,” Melbourne’s football manager Alan Richardson said.

“He had some scans on Tuesday, which unfortunately showed some ligament damage.

“Max will be in a moon boot until early next week and will then begin his structured rehabilitation program.

Max Gawn hurt himself in Monday’s loss to Collingwood. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“It’s obviously disappointing that we will be without our leader for the next three to five weeks, but we’re hopeful it’ll be a relatively quick recovery for Max, and he won’t miss too much footy.”

Gawn’s injury blow comes amid a tumultuous time for the Demons.

Melbourne, which was undefeated after the opening 10 rounds of the season, has lost three straight and had to deal with the fallout from an altercation between Steven May and Jake Melksham.

May was suspended and Melksham needed surgery on his hand.

The Demons also recently lost key forward Tom McDonald to a lisfranc foot injury.

First-gamer Daniel Turner also suffered facial fractures in the loss to Collingwood and will require surgery.

Melbourne has the bye this week before facing ladder leaders and premiership rivals Brisbane next Thursday at the MCG.

Originally published as Melbourne captain Max Gawn could miss up to five weeks of football with an ankle injury