Jump to content

Featured Replies

Posted

Max must be licking his lips again.  (mods - I dont think this deserves it own topic, please put this topic somewhere else if it fits) 

 

Three weeks in a row he has opponents who are very junior in skill and experience. 

  • Lloyd Meek for Freo
  • Paul Hunter for saints
  • and possible Matt Flynn this week v GWS. 

 

Might get some more experience against the Cats but I don't rate Rhys Stanley. 

 

Max did well on the weekend, but hoping he starts really hurting teams soon. 

Tell me how you reckon Max can really hurt these teams. 

 
  • Author

Great vision of his work rate on the weekend on Access all areas on AFL website, llyody gave him a good pump up. 

A lot gets said about his hit outs not converting into clearance dominance.

Whilst I'm sure there could be improvement in the Gawn-mid connection at stoppages, Gawn's value is not just hit outs. He has always been a near-elite runner for someone of his size, and the work he does to either get back into the hole in defence or push forward to stretch our opponent's defence is critical.

There aren't many rucks who can do all of that alongside him. It's that sort of ground coverage which, added to actual ruckwork, make Gawn so good (and similarly are why Naitanui, Grundy and Goldstein have been good in recent years).

 

I think he's crucial to our forward structure while Weid and Brown are out.  TMac doesn't tend to mark big bombs kicked on his head - Gawn can.  So if we're not able to lower the eyes going forward (if our midfield is under the pump) then he will still make defenders panic.  Not saying he should play all the game up there but it is a nice change to have while Jackson is able to compete in the ruck.

 

It's interesting that essentially every kickin we take is kicked to Gawn or the side that Gawn is on.  Makes sense but is very predictable - has anyone noticed if we've mixed this up at all?

 Max could really hurt GWS by pushing forward, stretching their defense and kicking goals. We should control the game in the air, our defense is playing really well.  Let him either mark, or bring the ball down to ground for Kossie/Spargo/ANB can clean up.

The opposition would need to put thought into how to stop him and will let others off the leash.   Stretch the opposition, put him forward.  He should kick goals.

It would be good experience for Jackson going up against these less experienced rucks.  Would be giving him at least 50/50 in the middle with Max switching for bursts.   We could possibly afford to have Jackson at 70/30.  Would help him develop much more than Max imo.


I feel like gawn is most effective against good rucks, when the mids don't all assume he's gonna win it every time

As someone who thought we should trade Gawn I’ve become a total convert. He and Jackson in combination can potentially dominate games. He’s a big reason we’re flag favourites 

 
24 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

As someone who thought we should trade Gawn I’ve become a total convert. He and Jackson in combination can potentially dominate games. He’s a big reason we’re flag favourites 

Wait a minute - flag favourites ? 
 


 

 

58 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Played the Old Jim Stynes role in defence on Saturday night, very effectively 

When our Forward line gets one or both of Big Ben and Weid in due course, we are going to be a leviathan beast of a team.

The way our defensive mechanisms are operating currently it's a real pleasure to watch with Gawn playing a kick behind play in defence alongside May, Lever and Tommo.


He has been a bit underwhelming in the ruck the last two weeks for mine

He doesn’t seem to be jumping at the centre bounce, seems more intent with holding the other ruckman out

Was happy to see his work around the ground was much improved than against  Freo 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

As someone who thought we should trade Gawn I’ve become a total convert. He and Jackson in combination can potentially dominate games. He’s a big reason we’re flag favourites 

Wow I definitely missed this memo. Care to elaborate? 

I have been holding myself back for a while now, but I think I am ready to elevate Gawn into a very elite group of ruckmen.

Best I have seen in order:

  1. Gary Dempsey
  2. Simon Madden
  3. Peter Moore
  4. Dean Cox

I am fairly happy to move Max Gawn into no.5 in this group. Watching him is pure pleasure. His tap work is as good as Dempsey, his field running as good as Cox, his kicking is now as relaible as Moore. I doubt his marking will get to the heights of Madden, but he is a very, very good mark. Absolute gun is our Max and I also need to eat humble pie about his captaincy; I wasn't a fan of his appointment but his leadership is first class. 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

As someone who thought we should trade Gawn I’ve become a total convert. He and Jackson in combination can potentially dominate games. He’s a big reason we’re flag favourites 

 

image.png.37e37282a7cecdbde6cd99837d05103d.png

Edited by TRIGON

I thought his tap work was looking a bit more effective at times on the weekend.  Not all game, but definitely beginning to line it up nicely.  It is something that he's had as a strength in the past so it is quite realistic to hope it will return soon, at which point Gawn becomes the philosophical Conceptual Ideal of an AFL ruckman.

Coming up against a string of young and inexperienced rucks has been an interesting quirk to start the season but these guys should not be dismissed too lightly.  Hell, making a debut or near-debut against Gawn seems to be a right of passage it happens so often.

I feel like the club is using Gawn and Jackson in an interesting split based as much on risk-reward as anything else.  Where calmness and reliable dominance is needed, they send Gawn.  Where a bit of wild potential might break things up a bit in our favour or even lift the team but there's no huge disaster for an 'almost great' moment, that's where you'll find Jackson. Obviously that puts Jackson mostly on or forward of the ball.

I like it. It means Jackson can be given a licence to just go for it, do his thing while developing and without risking over-programming him and sapping that brilliant energy and initiative that he brings.

I do see similarities between Jackson and Pickett and I wonder if the club has been looking to the same development philosophy with both?

Sorry to digress from Gawn, but it is at least very relevant to how the club decides to use him.


Brown used to play forward ruck at NM quite often. If and when he gets on the park will be interesting to see if he is given that job like Geelomg use Hawkins.

13 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

I have been holding myself back for a while now, but I think I am ready to elevate Gawn into a very elite group of ruckmen.

Best I have seen in order:

  1. Gary Dempsey
  2. Simon Madden
  3. Peter Moore
  4. Dean Cox

I am fairly happy to move Max Gawn into no.5 in this group. Watching him is pure pleasure. His tap work is as good as Dempsey, his field running as good as Cox, his kicking is now as relaible as Moore. I doubt his marking will get to the heights of Madden, but he is a very, very good mark. Absolute gun is our Max and I also need to eat humble pie about his captaincy; I wasn't a fan of his appointment but his leadership is first class. 

Do you remember how often Madden played forward?  He kicked a massive amount of goals.  Must have been one hell of a player.

Edited by Pickett2Jackson

I thought the turning point in the second quarter came when we were 16 points down and Max moved forward and Jackson went into the ruck. The rookie rucks had little impact but Saints couldn't rove to Max and his presence up forward changed the dynamic.

Re rookie ruckman I have seen in the last 2 weeks they lean in to him great a contest and try to nullify his taps conceding they wont beat him. Different situation against an attacking ruck opposition who is trying to get first hand on the ball. Agree Max does better against the better rucks as it is a contest not a rookie trying to smother him.

 

Edited by Older demon

3 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

Do you remember how often Madden played forward?  He kicked a massive amount of goals.  Must have been one hell of a player.

He was. A true great. 


34 minutes ago, Billy said:

He has been a bit underwhelming in the ruck the last two weeks for mine

He doesn’t seem to be jumping at the centre bounce, seems more intent with holding the other ruckman out

Was happy to see his work around the ground was much improved than against  Freo 

Spot on with the centre bounce analogy this has been happening for quite a while and against good teams it will be still a problem for the midfield group but his around the ground work is brilliant. 

2 hours ago, Rocknroll said:

Max must be licking his lips again.  (mods - I dont think this deserves it own topic, please put this topic somewhere else if it fits) 

 

Three weeks in a row he has opponents who are very junior in skill and experience. 

  • Lloyd Meek for Freo
  • Paul Hunter for saints
  • and possible Matt Flynn this week v GWS. 

 

Might get some more experience against the Cats but I don't rate Rhys Stanley. 

 

Max did well on the weekend, but hoping he starts really hurting teams soon. 

Tell me how you reckon Max can really hurt these teams. 

He could start by tapping to a mfc player  more often rather the technically " to advantage "

2 hours ago, Rocknroll said:

Max must be licking his lips again.  (mods - I dont think this deserves it own topic, please put this topic somewhere else if it fits) 

 

Three weeks in a row he has opponents who are very junior in skill and experience. 

  • Lloyd Meek for Freo
  • Paul Hunter for saints
  • and possible Matt Flynn this week v GWS. 

 

Might get some more experience against the Cats but I don't rate Rhys Stanley. 

 

Max did well on the weekend, but hoping he starts really hurting teams soon. 

Tell me how you reckon Max can really hurt these teams. 

Reduce patting the ball, increase directed hitting the ball to pre-advised teammates and 'spots' - particularly when rucking in the middle of the playing field. All it would take was a wink or two...

 
2 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

I think he's crucial to our forward structure while Weid and Brown are out.  TMac doesn't tend to mark big bombs kicked on his head - Gawn can.  So if we're not able to lower the eyes going forward (if our midfield is under the pump) then he will still make defenders panic.  Not saying he should play all the game up there but it is a nice change to have while Jackson is able to compete in the ruck.

 

It's interesting that essentially every kickin we take is kicked to Gawn or the side that Gawn is on.  Makes sense but is very predictable - has anyone noticed if we've mixed this up at all?

Not enough mixture in 'selected' flanks from deep defence.

It is predictable, as you suggest. It also creates an amount of congestion about Gawn. The latter leads to many turnovers from which, once again, we must recover so often. Burning calories for no benefit.

I have been thinking about this for two years now. If Salem is to play backman and upon the return of Hibberd as a backman, their flank kicking could be a big improvement on Gawn (location)/ midfield kicking entries,  particularly with their noted accuracy with clearance kicks. These also crowd the midfield and often we have another turnover due to the predictability of intent.

From fullback and  HBFlank, the kicking could be alternated to the opposite side of Gawn, avoiding most of the congestion, the propensity for a turnover and selective Demon flooding (from coaching) to receive, continue or initiate an attacking series of moves; thus, opening a corridor down the 'outer flank' that leads to some 60 metres of space for the HForwards and deep forwards to move into.

Again, the bloke who I believe is ideal for this co-ordination is Tomlinson who makes space, runs both ways, takes a few difficult marks against opponents and has eyes-up for downfield teammates, gaps, taps, kicks and handballs. We have his backline role in abeyance through Petty; we currently do not have Tomlinson's spread and skills as a free-wheeling winger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Deemania since 56

GWS don't have much of a backline, and Reid will end up getting suspended. I'd like to see Jackson get more ruck time to allow us to stretch GWS' talls. 

Edited by adonski


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • NON-MFC: Round 11

    Round 11, the second week of The Sir Doug Nicholls Round, kicks off on Thursday night with the Cats hosting the Bulldogs at Kardinia Park. Geelong will be looking to to continue their decade long dominance over the Bulldogs, while the Dogs aim to take another big scalp as they surge up the ladder. On Friday night it's he Dreamtime at the 'G clash between Essendon and Richmond. The Bombers will want to avoid another embarrassing performance against a lowly side whilst the Tigers will be keen to avenge a disappointing loss to the Kangaroos. Saturday footy kicks off as the Blues face the Giants in a pivotal clash for both clubs. Carlton need to turn around their up and down season while GWS will be eager to bounce back and reassert themselves as a September threat. At twilight sees the Hawks taking on the Lions at the G. Hawthorn need to cement themselves in the Top 4 but they’ll need to be at their best to challenge a Brisbane side eager to respond after last week’s crushing loss to the Dees on their home turf. The first of the Saturday night double headers opens with North Melbourne up against the high-flying Magpies. The Roos will need a near-perfect performance to trouble a Collingwood side sitting atop the ladder.

      • Like
    • 143 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: Sydney

    The two teams competing at the MCG on Sunday afternoon have each traversed a long and arduous path since their previous encounter on a sweltering March evening in Sydney a season and a half ago. Both experienced periods of success at various times last year. The Demons ran out of steam in midseason while the Swans went on to narrowly miss the ultimate prize in the sport. Now, they find themselves outside of finals contention as the season approaches the halfway mark. The winner this week will remain in contact with the leading pack, while the loser may well find itself on a precipice, staring into the abyss. The current season has presented numerous challenges for most clubs, particularly those positioned in the middle tier. The Essendon experience in suffering a significant 91-point loss to the Bulldogs, just one week after defeating the Swans, may not be typical, but it illustrates the unpredictability of outcomes under the league’s present set up. 

    • 3 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Brisbane

    “Max Gawn has been the heart and soul of the Dees for years now, but this recent recovery from a terrible start has been driven by him. He was everywhere again, and with the game in the balance, he took several key marks to keep the ball in the Dees forward half.” - The Monday Knee Jerk Reaction: Round Ten Of course, it wasn’t the efforts of one man that caused this monumental upset, but rather the work of the coach and his assistants and the other 22 players who took the ground, notably the likes of Jake Melksham, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Kozzie Pickett but Max has been magnificent in taking ownership of his team and its welfare under the fire of a calamitous 0-5 start to the season. On Sunday, he provided the leadership that was needed to face up to the reigning premier and top of the ladder Brisbane Lions on their home turf and to prevail after a slow start, during which the hosts led by as much as 24 points in the second quarter. Titus O’Reily is normally comedic in his descriptions of the football but this time, he was being deadly serious. The Demons have come from a long way back and, although they still sit in the bottom third of the AFL pack, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel as they look to drive home the momentum inspired in the past four or five weeks by Max the Magnificent who was under such great pressure in those dark, early days of the season.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Southport

    The Southport Sharks came to Casey. They saw and they conquered a team with 16 AFL-listed players who, for the most part, wasted their time on the ground and failed to earn their keep. For the first half, the Sharks were kept in the game by the Demons’ poor use of the football, it’s disposal getting worse the closer the team got to its own goal and moreover, it got worse as the game progressed. Make no mistake, Casey was far and away the better team in the first half, it was winning the ruck duels through Tom Campbell’s solid performance but it was the scoreboard that told the story.

    • 3 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Sydney

    Just a game and percentage outside the Top 8, the Demons return to Melbourne to face the Sydney Swans at the MCG, with a golden opportunity to build on the momentum from toppling the reigning premiers on their own turf. Who comes in, and who makes way?

      • Shocked
      • Like
    • 307 replies
    Demonland
  • PODCAST: Brisbane

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 12th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a famous victory by the Demons over the Lions at the Gabba.
    Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
    Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • Haha
      • Like
    • 35 replies
    Demonland