2015 Player Review - # 11 Max Gawn

[Demonland 72,230]

One of the success stories of the year, Gawn was languishing at Casey in the first half of the season but made the #1 ruck spot his own when he finally got his chance. To finish 12th in the Bluey was a great achievement off only 13 games and all indications are that he is capable of taking the steps necessary to become an elite ruckman in the competition.

Games MFC 2015 13

Career Total 39

Goals MFC 2015 6

Career Total 18

Games CSFC 2015 6

Goals CSFC 2015 8

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 134 votes

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

One of the success stories of the year, Gawn was languishing at Casey in the first half of the season but made the #1 ruck spot his own when he finally got his chance. To finish 12th in the Bluey was a great achievement off only 13 games and all indications are that he is capable of taking the steps necessary to become an elite ruckman in the competition.

Games MFC 2015 13

Career Total 39

Goals MFC 2015 6

Career Total 18

Games CSFC 2015 6

Goals CSFC 2015 8

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 134 votes

Big Maxy has bolted into the limelight. His ruck work is outstanding with many deft, controlled hit outs and his pack marking has improved out of sight. Love his agility when the ball is on the ground. It is a long way down for a guy his size. I am looking forward to his continued development. Well done Max.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

For me, what was a poor year could have been extremely poor without the surprise form/arrival of Gawn.

Made us more competitive out of the middle and gave us some tap outs that led directly to goal the likes of which we haven't seen for a while.

The contested threat around the ground with his marking really helped us hold momentum at times too.

Played some very good games and gave us a real glimpse of the future.

Massive tick from me.

Next step is a good (first full?) preseason and learn to work up forward without getting in Hogan's way.

[Dee Dee 1,108]

Quite a character is Max, and another who will eventually bring the crowds through the gates to watch the Dees.

He also appears to be a bit of a darling of the TV commentators, Derm for one appears to think he's pretty OK.

[beelzebub 23,380]

Max Gawn...find of the year...where was he hiding !!!

[jnrmac 20,104]

Tank tank tank. Needs a bigger one.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,400]

Signing for three more was massive.

[Pates 9,660]

Giving him the no. 11 was a clear indication that the club saw him as our future ruckman, it was just whether or not he would get a clean run with injuries and form. Thankfully he has and has made massive strides this year. For a long time he's shown promise as a tap ruckman but with little follow up around the ground, that has changed dramatically. Cries through the year of "just kick it up the line to Hogan" can now include big Maxy which means Jesse doesn't have to push as high up the ground.

I think it was against the Kangas but Maxy laid a massive tackle that was second only to Jack Viney's against the Saints as my favourite for the year. The look on Max's face as he was laying the tackle would've struck fear in even the most hardened footy player!

[poita 3,902]

Excellent run of form through the latter half of this season, and very much justified our continued faith in him. We need to be very careful how we manage him going forward, as he always seems likely to break down when over worked.

It is just a pity that he wasn't given the same opportunities to cement his spot at the end of 2014 when Jamar was floundering, but perhaps the penny had to drop for him. Maybe Spencer's run of games from round 6 onwards was the spur that Max needed to get his act together.

[hardtack 10,555]

Max has finally hit his straps as a footballer and I can only see him being on an upwards trajectory from hereon in; if he maintains and builds on what he was showing in those last few games, it is not inconceivable that he could make AA ruckman in the next year or two.

Beyond his onfield performance, his encounter with my son at training prior to round 23 and at the end of that same game has convinced me that he is also a great representative for the club at a public level. Big Max can do no wrong in my book.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

It seems that Max now realises that he's an AFL player rather than a standup comedian. If he focuses all his energy into becoming one of the premier Ruckmen of the competition, (which I genuinely believe is possible) then he'll be huge for us.

Agree with others he needs to work on his tank clearly. Part of that is putting his head down and working really hard over pre-season without any interruptions.

Tapping to the advantage of our mids is also a massive one. Needs to be really aware of it and we have to see an improvement in this area for next year. Needs to look at tapes of Goldy. Must be conscious of where he's trying to tap at every contest.

Get those two things right for next year and he'll be a huge factor in the improvement of our side.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

I thought Max was more hype than anything, seen it all before type scenario. But looks like the rumors had substance after all. Came on very quickly. Cant wait to see what he does after a full preseason off the ciggies!

[Willmoy1947 4,099]

I love seeing big ruckmen burying people. Reminds me of my old job.

Not only that though, he takes hard marks around the ground by leaning , not yet jumping, that will be something.

Haven't had the pleasure yet, but being a ruckman he would have to be a good , happy bloke.

[bjDee 1,249]

I love seeing big ruckmen burying people. Reminds me of my old job.

Hmmm. Sorry to get off topic, but: location Daintree. Old job burying people.

Wouldn't happen to be a 'person of interest' willo? Or a fitter of concrete footwear perhaps?

[Chook 15,013]

I’ll just leave this here:

[Sir Why You Little 37,051]

Ill just leave this here:

Python really did cover every topic didn't they!

RIP Graham...

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

Outstanding second half of the year by Big Max. Close to the most improved player in the AFL in 2015, and a huge part of our future if he can stay fit. Put a decent team of mids around him, and we will very quickly move from 'nowhere' to competitive.

[monoccular 17,432]

I’ll just leave this here:

Gawn gives me confidence too

[Whispering_Jack 30,235]

Disclosure: I'm a proud sponsor and confident that Max will rise to the top four of AFL ruckmen to which he's aspiring:-

Max factors himself into elite ruck calculations