AFL Round 8 West Coast v Melbourne: All the news and fallout from Max Gawn’s masterclass against the Eagles

West Coast led the Demons at half-time after an impressive second quarter. Enter Max Gawn, the skipper again proving he is the key to Melbourne’s resurgence.

Max Gawn continues to lead Melbourne’s resurgence.

The Demons captain is having a terrific 2025, but has been massive over the past three weeks, as his club recovers from its terrible start to the season.

At Optus Stadium on Saturday night, the ruck was again dominant in his side’s 32-point win over West Coast.

He had a career high 35 disposals, 22 of those contested, to go with 46 hit-outs, eight marks and nine clearances.

Gawn was particularly damaging in the third term, as the Demons finally took control of the game.

And in the fourth term, he put an exclamation mark on his performance with his first goal of the season (1.7). It was just his second goal against the Eagles in 14 outings against them.

The Demons kicked away to win 16.12 (108) to 11.10 (76).

After losing its first five games, they have now won their past three.

In those games, Gawn has averaged 29 disposals, more than eight clearances and eight marks.

It was another Max Gawn masterclass over in Perth. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Who led at half-time?

Somehow, West Coast led by six points at half-time.

It’s crazy considering midway through the second term, statisticians were looking for the last time the Eagles had gone a full first half of footy without kicking a goal.

It was on the cards.

Melbourne was dominating in key areas of the contest, but the Demons failed to put the home side to the sword on the scoreboard.

At the main break, they led clearances 27-6. They were winning centre square clearances 8-1.

The Demons also held a 29-17 advantage for entries into their forward line.

But West Coast kicked four goals to nil in the last 12 minutes of the second term to pinch a six-point lead at half-time.

Harvey Langford stepped up in the Melbourne midfield. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Christian Petracca continued his own return to form in the win. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Over to you MRO

Will Melbourne forward Jake Melksham be available to play against Hawthorn at the MCG next week?

During the second quarter, he pushed West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern into Demon Harrison Petty, who marked the ball.

McGovern was stunned by the contact with Petty, and while he played out the quarter, he was subbed out of the game at half-time.

The gun defender might also miss next week’s clash with Richmond at the MCG, although the Eagles didn’t declare he was concussed.

The Match Review Panel has already suspended players this year for pushing opponents into contests.

One difference between this incident and others is that Melksham used his body to push McGovern into the contact, not his hands.

Petty was also subbed out of the game at the main break, also due to concussion.

Jeremy McGovern was subbed out. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Someone had to win

Before Saturday night, neither West Coast nor Melbourne had won a fourth quarter.

The Demons had kicked 7.21 to 33.14 in last terms, a difference of 149 points.

The Eagles, who had only won two quarters before Saturday night, both first terms, had scored 16.12 to 34.25 in last quarters. That’s a difference of 121 points.

Melbourne led by 29 points at three-quarter-time.

They then won the final term shootout 6.0 to 5.3, to claim their first final term of the season.

West Coast, in winning the second term 4.2 to 5.1, has now won three quarters for the year; but still no games.

Scoreboard

WEST COAST 0.5 4.7 6.7 11.10 (76)

MELBOURNE 2.2 3.7 10.12 16.12 (108)

BEST Eagles: Maric, Ginbey, Graham, Baker, Hewett, Allen.

Demons: Gawn, Petracca, Turner, Chandler, Viney, Langford.

GOALS Eagles: Waterman 3, Hewett 3, Cripps 2, J Williams, Hunt, Brockman.

Demons: Turner 3, Fritsch 2, Langdon 2, Windsor, Viney, Pickett, Petracca, Melksham, Chandler, Sharp, Gawn, Spargo.

INJURIES Eagles: McGovern (concussion), A Reid (ankle). Demons: Petty (concussion).

41,991 at Optus Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BRAD ELBOROUGH’S VOTES

3 Max Gawn (MEL)

2 Christian Petracca (MEL)

1 Daniel Turner (MEL)

Originally published as AFL Round 8 West Coast v Melbourne: All the news and fallout from Max Gawn’s masterclass against the Eagles