23 minutes ago, A F said:

Mate, he was top 5 in the competition for a lot of stats, including #1 for contested possessions. Let's not start [censored] on the brightest, most talented player we've had through the doors in many years.

Clarry is a star and although he could be the best player in the competition if he used his beautiful right foot more effectively, he is still a genuine A grade midfielder and he had another A grade season.

It's not about that at all.  He gets a lot of the ball yes and is high in the contested stakes. But sorry he had no hurt factor this year compared to last, at least then he hit the scoreboard often. If he wants to go to the next level then he needs to really focus in on Patrick Cripps or Bontempelli and look at the way they influences games by the scruff of the neck. This [censored] business of handballing to teammates 5 meters away with an opponent hot on their heel or to a teammates legs has to simply stop next year.

The right decision not to include him this year. 

Max Gawn is our rock  our leader and leads from the the front everyone on our list should take a leaf out of his book as he gives his all week in and week out and that is why he is all Australian again. You are a Godsend to our  great club.

Our culture needs changing and we need Max as our captain in 2020 and beyond.

Is there anything Max can’t do? From the AFL site.

Gawn was again the AFL's best rap ruckman

No need for angst that Max is on the bench as there is lots of politics in selections:  Hurn ignored as captain two years running for headline catching glamour boys.  Ablett named in 44 to put some icing on his career.  Genuine stars like Coniglio and Whitfield ignored in the 44.  Hawkins in 44 but Ben Brown not in.  And, the 'Grundy was on the bench last year, its Max's turn this year' thinking.

Its a micky-mouse team anyway.  Delighted Max is in the 22.  Much deserved.  The only real highlight for the year was Max.

btw - loved that no Ess player was even selected in the AA squad of 44!

Edited August 28, 20196 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Congrats big boy

Edited August 28, 20196 yr by Rusty Nails

With all the raving about Grundy, there was a chance Max would miss out by virtue of comparison. 

Every mention of Grundy was played up, while every mention of Max was played down.

At least, it seemed that way to this chronic sufferer of Demon Derangement Syndrome. 

39 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Hurn ignored as captain two years running for headline catching glamour boys.

I agree that Buddy in 2018 was a legacy pick, but Fyfe in 2019 he been pretty sensational. Paddy Cripps, who carries Carlton, would also come close. 

The Bont had to be Captain surely.  There was no better player / leader and helped drag them into another finals campaign.

Just imagine if he hadn’t of done his hammy in 2017? He could have had 4 AA on the trot.

12 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Garry Lyon 93, 94, 95 I believe.

Our coach of course was pretty handy, making the team 5 times.

 

Actually Garry is also a 5 time All Aus rep as well, only him and Barassi have done that for MFC. Maxy will go close to that for sure.

Congrats Max you are an A-grade champion.

12 hours ago, Chook said:

To not select the best actual ruckman in the All-Australian ruck position is to completely disrespect the art of ruck-craft, big boy.

#MaxForAA1stRuck

The AA is a bit of a joke but you're right. Max is clearly the best ruckman with hitouts and taps to advantage. 

And...the AFL put him on the bench. Idiots

Captain Max.

On 8/28/2019 at 9:31 PM, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Garry Lyon 93, 94, 95 I believe.

Our coach of course was pretty handy, making the team 5 times.

 

 

No Demon has ever been a 4 time  AA.   One more for Max Gawn and he will stand alone.  I reckon he has a couple more in him too.,, maybe even a few.

I now think that Gawn the best player we have ever had. His consistency, durability, effectiveness and leadership is the best I have seen.

Fun bump. Nice to visit a thread from before MFCSS was formally added to the official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

'Demon Deragement Syndrome' was a valid competitor, but MFCSS is what will go down in history.

Much like Max Gawn.

Did anyone else notice late in the Richmond game a moment where a pack collapse with Gawn in the middle of it and bodies dropping everywhere, and Gawn hits the ground and for a moment he is just watching the chaos around him with this happy grin like he is watching his kids figure out a new toy?

You can also see the same kind of joy in the gif Demon Disciple posted above.

You don't often see players just smiling like they are having a good time.

I'm glad he is literally the best ruck of a generation, because otherwise I'm sure some sour-faced twit or cleansed-toned-moisturised potato in the media would be having a go at him for 'lacking intensity'.

Maxy's form over the last fortnight certainly puts him in line for an 8th AA jacket. I can't believe there were some folks who were writing him off a few weeks ago.

What a gun.

Edited April 29, 2025Apr 29 by Demon Jack

3 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

Maxy's form over the last fortnight certainly puts him in line for an 8th AA jacket. I can't believe there were some folks who were writing him off a few weeks ago.

What a gun.

When the end comes, I fear it will come quickly. Poor Max has been carrying this team on his shoulders for nearly a decade. Instead of easing his load and maximising his longevity, the burden seems to be getting heavier.

Getting ‘final straw that broke camels back’ vibes.

the greatest ruckman the game has ever seen

For a bloke who was allegedly struggling, he has polled coaches votes in 4 of 7 games this season thus far. That's an impressive strike rate and indicative of the insanely high standards he has set over his career.

get on him for the Brownlow.

Why has a random post 5 years ago resurfaced considering max has won AA seven times?

Why he is the best (or at least, interesting to me as a metric of effort)

In 2019 and 2024 his tackle numbers stood out in seasons we dropped away, this is a man who leads from the front, does the hard things when (nearly) everyone else is falling apart. It also shows why season 2021 was exceptional. I really think he is a clutch player who takes the game away from the opposition. Cox was without doubt better skilled, (except as a contested marking player) but Gawn's effort is superlative.

Year	Team	#	GM	W-D-L	TK ↑	1%
2016	Melbourne	11	22	10-0-12	80	81
2021	Melbourne	11	25	20-1-4	71	99
2018	Melbourne	11	25	16-0-9	57	86
2024	Melbourne	11	21	10-0-11	54	57
2019	Melbourne	11	21	4-0-17	51	77
2023	Melbourne	11	22	14-0-8	44	66
2022	Melbourne	11	22	14-0-8	40	69

*Seven times All Australian.

That's right count them, Seven.

Seven is heaven...