Max Gawn was admitted to hospital days before Melbourne’s Round 1 loss to Port Adelaide

Superstar Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn was admitted to hospital for a minor procedure days before the Demons’ shock Round 1 loss to Port Adelaide.

Paddy Ryder of the Power and Max Gawn of the Demons contest the ruck.

Superstar Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn had a minor procedure to combat a skin infection only days before the Demons’ shock loss to Port Adelaide at the weekend.

The Demons today confirmed the All-Australian big man was admitted to hospital on Wednesday and required some antibiotics to treat a problem area on his leg.

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But the club remains confident he will bounce back from a sub-par performance against the Power in the clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

Gawn, 27, was well below his best in the loss to Port Adelaide, but football manager Josh Mahoney confirmed the gun ruckman had an interrupted preparation for the Round 1 game.

“Max had a minor procedure and received treatment for a skin infection on his leg in hospital on Wednesday,” Mahoney said.

The infection in the lead-in was likely to have impacted Gawn’s energy levels in the season-opening loss, however the star ruckman was passed fit to play against Port.

The Power physically and verbally targeted Gawn in the victory and restricted him to 21 hitouts and three marks in hot conditions at the MCG.

Paddy Ryder and Max Gawn at a ruck contest.

Port coach Ken Hinkley said the Power knew it faced a massive challenge trying to curb “the premier ruckman in the competition” on Saturday.

Hinkley said new recruit Scott Lycett called for some support from his teammates to help him in his first game for the club.

“Scotty was the one who probably drove that as much as anyone,” Hinkley said on Triple M.

“He spoke to the team and spoke to the boys before the game and said, ‘If you can help me, I’ll do my best, I’m happy to do this job, but if you can help and support me that go a long way to making this job a bit easier’.”