Melbourne captain Max Gawn thought his career was in jeopardy when he hurt his knee

Max Gawn has had two knee reconstructions in his career and the thought of a third left him reeling last Friday night.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn faces a stint on the sidelines. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Melbourne captain Max Gawn has revealed he “shed a little tear” in the Gabba changerooms on Friday night, fearing he’d suffered a third ACL injury that could have threatened the rest of his AFL career.

Gawn said the ACL diagnosis was “floated around” after he injured his knee in the loss to the Lions.

While the post-match diagnosis of a sprained medial collateral ligament, a four-week absence, was a relief to all, the five time All-Australian couldn’t help but fear the worst given he’s 31.

“The word ACL had been floated around, so for someone who’s done two and the people in the rooms couldn’t tell me if I had or hadn’t done it in terms of how my knee was presenting, the worst-case scenario does go (through) your mind,” Gawn said on Monday.

“I‘m 31, I’m sort of getting towards the twilight and to do a third knee would have been pretty devastating for my own career.

“I was quite upset for a bit … the vulnerability to cry, I had a little tear in the changeroom.

Max Gawn shed a tear in the changeroom. Picture Fox Sports

“It was a big moment that got put on me in round 2 at a time when you‘re not expecting that news.”

Gawn said he was “pretty bullish about a return date” but also confident in Brodie Grundy, his replacement as the No.1 ruckman.

“We needed him on Friday night, that‘s for sure … when I went down in the first five minutes, it was always going to be a daunting task,” Gawn said.

“He did a tremendous job. Who knows how long I‘m out for – I still don’t know, I haven’t been into the club yet.”

As the game unfolded badly for the Demons in Brisbane, Gawn said the lengthy delay to call it off after an electrical issue caused the lights to fail in the final quarter made it longer than anyone wanted.

“I wanted the game to be over as quickly as possible and it ended up being the longest game in history,” he said.