Melbourne captain Max Gawn calls out teammates after second bad loss in three weeks

Melbourne has lost to both West Australian teams in the past three weeks and an Alice Spring smashing has led to a big call from the captain.

Max Gawn walks off the field in Alice Springs (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Melbourne captain Max Gawn has labelled his teams two losses in the past three weeks the club’s worst performances in five years declaring his job now is to “stand out” some of the issues plaguing his side.

But the six-time All-Australian said he and his teammates couldn’t be caught dwelling too long on the Alice Springs disaster because that would only serve to give an “advantage to Collingwood” ahead of next Monday’s King’s Birthday showdown.

Gawn was left “pretty flat” in the aftermath of the 92-point smashing from Fremantle on Sunday, coming two weeks after losing to AFL battlers West Coast in Perth by 35-points.

While there was a 38-point win over St Kilda in between the two humbling defeats, Gawn conceded there was no hiding from the fact his team had to improve significantly ahead of next Monday’s clash with the Magpies at the MCG.

“We were smashed in the contest, smashed in clearance ... we just got smashed all over the ground,” Gawn said in the aftermath of the loss.

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“The year has been about flows, but two of two of the past three weeks we have probably put in our worst performances for the last five years.

“Glass half-full approach is there is so long left in the year. Not sure where we sit but it’s pretty close to the top eight and we have a good chance to bounce back.

“Glass half-empty, which is where I am at right now, is pretty flattening.”

Gawn said there were clear “behaviours” from players on the field which needed addressing, and as captain he’d take upon himself to do that to ensure there is a quick refocus on being better.

“I’ll switch in to that mode pretty quickly,” he said.

“Footy turns around really quickly and if you think about this game for too long, you are already giving that advantage to Collingwood. I have to make sure I stand out some of the behaviours we don’t want on the field and try and correct that and a big emphasis on a game a lot of Melbourne supporters watch, and the whole country watches.

“I’m not excited to review this one but the learnings will help us next week.”

Melbourne dropped to 10th after the defeat, equal on points with the Magpies ahead of their clash next week.

Originally published as Melbourne captain Max Gawn calls out teammates after second bad loss in three weeks