31 minutes ago, Pates said:

I know his next milestone game isn't for a couple of seasons but they should definitely have a guard of honour with kids all boarding big beards!

2 things from this year above all else has given me so much enjoyment from football (didn't think I'd be saying those words 3 years ago). First is Jack Watts having a sensational year, the second is Maxy Gawn fulfilling his own prophecy and becoming the number 1 ruckman in the game. Great to have a fantastic player and great character at our club!

very true pates. i think jack and max are our renaissance men

Max has become an icon, cult hero. My young boy made yesterday's Herald Sun picture running with Max with the beard on from an Auskick setup this week. 20 young bearded kids in Demons #11, sensational for the kids. Max was wonderful with them, he has 20 new fantastic fans, even the couple who weren't Dee's fans, plus parents!

Was at the wrestling last night with Trengove getting mugged for pics

53 minutes ago, Pates said:

I know his next milestone game isn't for a couple of seasons but they should definitely have a guard of honour with kids all boarding big beards!

2 things from this year above all else has given me so much enjoyment from football (didn't think I'd be saying those words 3 years ago). First is Jack Watts having a sensational year, the second is Maxy Gawn fulfilling his own prophecy and becoming the number 1 ruckman in the game. Great to have a fantastic player and great character at our club!

Agree with all your other points, but you know, one of the things I love about Maxy is that he is so real, down to earth and is such a funny guy.

Maxy and also Bernie Vince are like the typical top blokes at your local footy club that every loves playing with because they are so loyal and so much fun.  How both these guys manage to walk the tight rope of being a bit edgey and blokey whilst being under the public microscope of the AFL is really a credit to them.

On 12/8/2016 at 9:23 PM, 1964nowMORE said:

Max has become an icon, cult hero. My young boy made yesterday's Herald Sun picture running with Max with the beard on from an Auskick setup this week. 20 young bearded kids in Demons #11, sensational for the kids. Max was wonderful with them, he has 20 new fantastic fans, even the couple who weren't Dee's fans, plus parents!

And how much did the MFC need a character like this to lift our profile and humanize the club?!

Has been interesting listen to 'expert' commentators waking up to Max in past weeks.  One (I forget who) stated that they "hope that the Melbourne football club doesn't try to curtail his public persona" (or words to that effect).  Again how disengaged these experts can be from all but the top clubs at the time.  From what I've observed, the MFC has encouraged and fostered big Maxy's entertainment value and unique character from the start and perhaps even improved his media skills through things like "Gawn in sixty seconds".

Max is a victory for what it means to follow footy in an increasing corporatised world of professionalised sport.  His interview at half time of the Fox Footy coverage was insightful, in which he stated that during his years of injury he saw a different side to the club and became a more of a supporter.  Great to see that loyalty, passion and personal connection in footy has not been lost (incidentally, I think that's why the MFC also needs to treat Trengrove, Grimes and Dunn with the respect and loyalty they deserve).

The afl.com Brownlow Predictor has him on 16 votes before last nights game...  will be tuning into the count for the first time in years as we should have some guys poll really well, namely Gawn, Viney, Tyson and Jones.

4 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

And how much did the MFC need a character like this to lift our profile and humanize the club?!

Has been interesting listen to 'expert' commentators waking up to Max in past weeks.  One (I forget who) stated that they "hope that the Melbourne football club doesn't try to curtail his public persona" (or words to that effect).  Again how disengaged these experts can be from all but the top clubs at the time.  From what I've observed, the MFC has encouraged and fostered big Maxy's entertainment value and unique character from the start and perhaps even improved his media skills through things like "Gawn in sixty seconds".

Max is a victory for what it means to follow footy in an increasing corporatised world of professionalised sport.  His interview at half time of the Fox Footy coverage was insightful, in which he stated that during his years of injury he saw a different side to the club and became a more of a supporter.  Great to see that loyalty, passion and personal connection in footy has not been lost (incidentally, I think that's why the MFC also needs to treat Trengrove, Grimes and Dunn with the respect and loyalty they deserve).

Honestly, the MFC would be stupid if it tried to curtail Max's personality.  He is walking, talking good publicity for our club.  All the club has to do to benefit from it, is absolutely nothing.  

10 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

And how much did the MFC need a character like this to lift our profile and humanize the club?!

Has been interesting listen to 'expert' commentators waking up to Max in past weeks.  One (I forget who) stated that they "hope that the Melbourne football club doesn't try to curtail his public persona" (or words to that effect).  Again how disengaged these experts can be from all but the top clubs at the time.  From what I've observed, the MFC has encouraged and fostered big Maxy's entertainment value and unique character from the start and perhaps even improved his media skills through things like "Gawn in sixty seconds".

Max is a victory for what it means to follow footy in an increasing corporatised world of professionalised sport.  His interview at half time of the Fox Footy coverage was insightful, in which he stated that during his years of injury he saw a different side to the club and became a more of a supporter.  Great to see that loyalty, passion and personal connection in footy has not been lost (incidentally, I think that's why the MFC also needs to treat Trengrove, Grimes and Dunn with the respect and loyalty they deserve).

Perfectly summarised RBG.

43 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Honestly, the MFC would be stupid if it tried to curtail Max's personality.  He is walking, talking good publicity for our club.  All the club has to do to benefit from it, is absolutely nothing.  

It would be hard to estimate the impact Max is/will have on membership and support.

He is in that category of player like RDB and Robbie who influence a whole generation of kids.

Expect to see a lot of new number 11 footy jumpers!

Surely a lock for the AA squad now? He was supreme again last night.

Bluey, AA and top 5 in the brownlow 

2 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

It would be hard to estimate the impact Max is/will have on membership and support.

He is in that category of player like RDB and Robbie who influence a whole generation of kids.

Expect to see a lot of new number 11 footy jumpers!

Let's hope so, because we've lost an entire generation to Hawthorn recently.

3 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

It would be hard to estimate the impact Max is/will have on membership and support.

He is in that category of player like RDB and Robbie who influence a whole generation of kids.

Expect to see a lot of new number 11 footy jumpers!

Per 1964nowMORE - To be sold with clip on beard accessories!!

Anyone have the initial quote from Maxy that started all this?

 

Where/how do we buy that photo?

That photo is glorious. 

Found this on YouTube as well.

 

Haha, 32 minutes of big Maxy! Love it.

What's his goal for next season?

Just now, Django said:

What's his goal for next season?

To be Australia's Next Top Model.

I'll back him in.

Max is proof that modern players who talk like robots aren't necessarily sterilised by the industry. They just aren't willing to share their personality with the public. Max is very willing.