All he needs is an uninterrupted pre season. Then we will really see how the big man flies.

Fantastic news, I thought Gawn acquitted himself well against Goldstein last weekend. Sure, he had his colors lowered, but he was competitive. This time last year he was getting thrown around by Minson, and was easily pushed off the ball. So his improvement this year has been massive. If he can improve again coming into 2016, he'll give Goldstein hell

He was nowhere at the start of this season, or even 9 rounds into this - his 6th season. Now he is setup to play good footy from his 7th onwards.

I expected it to take this long - so don't complain about how long this has taken - this is about the time it takes for a 208cm ruckman to get going.

#don'tdraftteenageruckmen

And, well done, look forward to the next 5 years with an excellent tap ruckman who can mark and kick a goal.

I agree on the timeframe, but I have to confess I was surprised at the "flick of a switch" manner in which his improvement occurred. I remember a comment from one of the coaches (Plapp, perhaps?) that they were pretty worried about his early season form.

He was immense against Geelong and hasn't looked back. It's been great to see.

Very happy for him. I've always liked him but worried he'd fallen out of favour in the first 9 rounds, but luckily he hasn't wasted a game and now he's firmed no.1 ruck. His marking in particular has been really valuable

He was nowhere at the start of this season, or even 9 rounds into this - his 6th season. Now he is setup to play good footy from his 7th onwards.

I expected it to take this long - so don't complain about how long this has taken - this is about the time it takes for a 208cm ruckman to get going.

#don'tdraftteenageruckmen

And, well done, look forward to the next 5 years with an excellent tap ruckman who can mark and kick a goal.

Especially taking into account his knee recos.

Sublime palming combined with intellectual comedy....

Just watching the Max Gawn highlights on MFC web.

2nd Q v Pies Gawn at boundary throw in taps over back directly to pederson who in turns gets the call from Bernie and swivels and hits him on the run full tilt...GOAL!!!

Probably the best bit of ruck work since Jamar used to hit Moloney full tilt T centre bounce.

I believe he has the potential to be the greatest ruckman of all time. Dempsey, Madden and Cox are probably the three historical standouts but this kid is going to be something very special. When I first saw him live I thought they were b'sing about his height. He looks way too balanced, athletic and agile for his height. Sandilands is the closest in height and never had the mobility around the ground. His height is already showing a massive advantage where he can easily outreach "normal" sized 200-203cm ruckmen but is also more athletic than them around the ground. Biggest weakness is his tank. If you look at this stats most possessions are in the first half. Once he has the km's up and gets the tank he is going to be special. Don't know what was wrong with him in the first qtr last week but in the 2nd & 3rd he more than matched Goldstein in the centre taps and the whole game changed.

Is he captaincy material down the line?

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some positive news on Howe too http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-14/demons-restart-jeremy-howe-contract-talks

Edited August 14, 201510 yr by hogans_heroes

The Talking Beard puts pen to paper...

Great news! Love the big guy, and have been waiting impatiently for him to start to deliver. Think he's only whetted our appetites so far, and really look forward to him being a dominant part of our move up the ladder.

Awesome news - Go DEES

Worried about how many clubs will try and take him after we win the 2018 flag tho.....

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some positive news on Howe too http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-14/demons-restart-jeremy-howe-contract-talks

I don't want to derail the thread - I was rapt when I saw Max had re-committed, especially since some worry rats on here were bothered at all the praise Dermie was throwing at him previously and figured the Hawks were going to make a play - however I take it as a good sign that the club has started talking up the Howe re-signing prospect. So good news in both respects.

It's a great bonus for any team to have a few funny buggers in it to lighten the mood and keep the others smiling.

It's a good thing he's rucking well too.

Fark yes. Love you Maximus.

Worried about how many clubs will try and take him after we win the 2018 flag tho.....

You worry too much... worried about Max leaving if we win a premiership, worried about Hogan being distracted if paid millions... rest assured that if we win a premiership, Max will want to stick around to have a hand in our quadrepeat as will all of our other stars... not to mention we will become the destination of choice for everyone else.

He was nowhere at the start of this season, or even 9 rounds into this - his 6th season. Now he is setup to play good footy from his 7th onwards.

I expected it to take this long - so don't complain about how long this has taken - this is about the time it takes for a 208cm ruckman to get going.

#don'tdraftteenageruckmen

And, well done, look forward to the next 5 years with an excellent tap ruckman who can mark and kick a goal.

Can we saw the same about Spencer or nah?

Worried about how many clubs will try and take him after we win the 2018 flag tho.....

That dream I can cope with.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-08-14/gawn-commits-until-the-end-of-2018

"A lot of the guys are in the same boat – we’ve been through a lot together and we don’t want to miss out on hopefully what’s at the other end.

“We’ve got some good young players coming through – we’ve seen Angus Brayshaw this year and James Harmes and Alex Neal-Bullen and players like that – who are playing good footy and there’s Christian Petracca still to come, which is exciting.”

Obviously doesn’t rate Jesse Hogan.

I don't want to derail the thread - I was rapt when I saw Max had re-committed, especially since some worry rats on here were bothered at all the praise Dermie was throwing at him previously and figured the Hawks were going to make a play - however I take it as a good sign that the club has started talking up the Howe re-signing prospect. So good news in both respects.

With all due respect, this is classic MFCSS. The link between Dermie rating him and Hawthorn making a play is tenuous at best.

I always thought Gawn would re-sign, purely because there was no reason why he wouldn't.

Can we saw the same about Spencer or nah?

This will be his 8th year on the list and he is getting to the point where a decision has to be made. But if he is back up to Gawn, that's fine.

I always thought Gawn would re-sign, purely because there was no reason why he wouldn't.

Ditto, but there's always relief when it happens, no matter the circumstances.

Yay! Onwards and upwards!!