With the exception of that shot on goal, his field kicking was actually surprisingly excellent.

I spent years screaming "handball" to Jamar, but I don't feel the need to do that with Gawn.

Exceptionally athletic and coordinated for a giant. Hopefully we can find a way to get plenty of game time into him this season, even if it's mostly as a forward. He actually took a grab against Dustin Fletcher+1. I fail to remember the last time we saw any Melbourne player take a contested overhead mark in the goal square against two opponents (save for Jurrah taking a speccy). Massive win that!

Ive watched him in a number of games at Casey, and that shot for goal was out of character. He is actually a good kick and have seen him dob goals from the 50m line, and is usually an accurate field kick.

With more experience, the obvious nervousness of tonight will lessen, and he can settle into his natural game. His tap outs though were outstanding tonite .

He doesn't look that tall because he isn't lanky.

Look at LeBron James run around in the NBA... then realise he is 203cm. What that man could do in the AFL...

Ive watched him in a number of games at Casey, and that shot for goal was out of character. He is actually a good kick and have seen him dob goals from the 50m line, and is usually an accurate field kick.

With more experience, the obvious nervousness of tonight will lessen, and he can settle into his natural game. His tap outs though were outstanding tonite .

It was a big moment in the game as well when he took that mark, if he kicked it, was the last nail, i stood up and Yelled YOUR GAWN (as in Essendon)

LOVED IT

Compare that to Sandi when he was 19. He took so long to show what Maximum did... and he only has a couple of inches on him.

Gawn, but not forgotten.

looks a likely type

It's a mega-cliche, but it's true - you can't teach size. I'm very excited about what he may become when he shakes off the young giant uncos; so those embarrassing misses become regulation goals. He's already shown he can tap, is mobile (the biggest plus given his size) and can take a mark. It was a very promising debut.

Maximum GAWWWWNNNN!!!!

Utah, that was priceless! It is years since I have seen that sketch and I have tears coming out my eyes. GAAAAWWWWNNN. Very woody sounding name, don't you think?

.

He doesn't look that tall because he isn't lanky.

I am fast beginning to detest Dennis Cometti. Three times in the 1st 30 minutes of last nights broadcast he said Max Gawn is not or does not look 208cm. What is he saying? That the Dee's are lying about Max's hieght. Get a brain Cometti.

I really, really liked that game. Gave Martin the chop out he couldn't get from Newton/Dunn, but did more than just relieve. His tapwork was good. His mobility was exceptional. His enthusiasm was great.

Also loved (I think that's the right emotion) seeing his face when he came off after missing his kick. He was absolutely gutted.

He will take time, lots and lots of time, but I saw enough last night to tell me he is our ruckman for the future. Him and Martin.

Why has no one mentioned the MAX GAWN STANCE ??

Whenever he takes a mark for goal Everyone in the crowd should do the stance.

Feet planted shoulder width and squat like your in the out house

I am fast beginning to detest Dennis Cometti. Three times in the 1st 30 minutes of last nights broadcast he said Max Gawn is not or does not look 208cm. What is he saying? That the Dee's are lying about Max's hieght. Get a brain Cometti.

I like Cometti but he was really starting to get on my nerves with that. He mentioned it throughout the entire game.

Haha yes the stance was brilliant!

What I liked about him was his confidence. Here's a 19 year old 208cm ruckman playing his first game. You don't find too many players in footy as raw as a young big ruckman making their AFL debut. And he has only played a few senior VFL games!

You would expect a really nervous performance. Not calling for the ball, looking to handball at every opportunity, looking to give it off instead of taking a shot at goal. Yet big Maxy was waving both arms in the air in the middle of the ground demanding the footy on a few occasions. He backed his kicking and when he took that mark near the boundary in the last term, he went back and backed himself to drill it. Can't imagine too many other young big men showing that much confidence.

He was also responsible for one of the best moments of the game...his last quarter pack mark sending all the Bombers fans heading for the exits. They just piled out in their numbers, it was quite an amazing sight. They never handle defeat well that mob.

Comment of the night goes to a Melbourne supporter sitting behind me in the mcc who, when Max was on his own on the wing, yelled out

"Kick it to the GIAGANTOR!!!"

I am fast beginning to detest Dennis Cometti. Three times in the 1st 30 minutes of last nights broadcast he said Max Gawn is not or does not look 208cm. What is he saying? That the Dee's are lying about Max's hieght. Get a brain Cometti.

I agree with Dennis. He does not look like he's 208cm.

He was also responsible for one of the best moments of the game...his last quarter pack mark sending all the Bombers fans heading for the exits. They just piled out in their numbers, it was quite an amazing sight. They never handle defeat well that mob.

Haha, absolutely - they were just streaming out at that point.

I loved gawn in his first game, but im gonna have to question you here. HIs field kicking wasnt fantastic. I'll look at the replay, but i was pretty sure the only drop punt kick he landed was the one in front of goal, which he missed. The other kicks were wobblyy

I'm with you - the ball drop was generally a bit diabolical and I wasn't surprised when he missed.

On the miss, it brought back memories of Spencer's missed at Etihad versus North (although not quite as embarassing!).

However, I'm heartened by reports that at VFL-level he's a reliable kick.