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

  • PREVIEW: Essendon

    As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie?  Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Essendon

    Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

      • Thanks
    • 297 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 05

    Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

      • Thanks
    • 24 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Geelong

    There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Geelong

    I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 04

    Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

      • Thanks
    • 273 replies
    Demonland