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Max Gawn - Slow start

Steamin Demon
in Melbourne Demons

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Two games in and I'm seeing a few concerning signs from our Premiership Captain. 

- Dropping marks he'd normally swallow

- Continued bewilderment at ruck infringements

- The misjudging of flight. The Doggies game especially. 

- He's smiling/carefree attitude towards his mistakes. Dogs game again.

I accept it's early but the early signs from Max this year aren't great. Is the rise of Jackson affecting his game? 

Lets hope he has a blinder this week and gets some of his aerial confidence back. 

 

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    1 minute ago, Steamin Demon said:

    Two games in and I'm seeing a few concerning signs from our Premiership Captain. 

    - Dropping marks he'd normally swallow

    - Continued bewilderment at ruck infringements

    - The misjudging of flight. The Doggies game especially. 

    - He's smiling/carefree attitude towards his mistakes. Dogs game again.

    I accept it's early but the early signs from Max this year aren't great. Is the rise of Jackson affecting his game? 

    Lets hope he has a blinder this week and gets some of his aerial confidence back. 

     

    ffs

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    3 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

    ffs

    Good one. Can the Captain not be critiqued? 

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    1 minute ago, drysdale demon said:

    If it is warranted, which it isn't.

    Just my observations that I've noticed in both games. 

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    Probably wasn’t in our best 10 players in the GF either. 
    Not concerned, others are stepping up and playing career best games or in career best form it’s not the same 2-3 players every week which is fantastic 
     

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    The humid slippery conditions were very much against the big men against the suns. Very few marks were taken. Also I think Max was shafted by the umpires when against English. A greater sample of games is needed before writing Max off.

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    Dropped plenty of marks in a premier year too.   Nothing to worry about

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    I think the comments are fair. He's misread the flight of the ball on several occasions, and is clearly frustrated with the interpretation of "blocking" in ruck contests.

    And it seems that he understands that he's not at his best, and lets Jackson take over.

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    Nailed pretty important goals in both games.

    Max has the runs on the board as both an individual player and as captain.

    I think we've got so use to him dominating each week that it's become an expectation that isn't exactly normal for most players.

    If Max can pace himself, really turn it on in the games he has too and share, duties with Dogga when the opportunities are there, I think that's great for the medium to long term development of the team and both Max and Dogga as individuals.

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    33 minutes ago, Steamin Demon said:

    Two games in and I'm seeing a few concerning signs from our Premiership Captain. 

    - Dropping marks he'd normally swallow

    - Continued bewilderment at ruck infringements

    - The misjudging of flight. The Doggies game especially. 

    - He's smiling/carefree attitude towards his mistakes. Dogs game again.

    I accept it's early but the early signs from Max this year aren't great. Is the rise of Jackson affecting his game? 

    Lets hope he has a blinder this week and gets some of his aerial confidence back. 

     

    I really think the two bits in bold are the most significant points out of all this.

    He hasn't exactly got off to the flying start to the season that Trac has, but few do.

    I'll be concerned if his form isn't there by mid season, but until then, I think the challenge of Dogga / Gawn will test alot of teams and either one or the other or both will get off the chain at some point.

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    26 minutes ago, DaveyJones'sLocker said:

    Not concerned, others are stepping up and playing career best games or in career best form

    In part because of Max and what he brings, both as player and captain.

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    I don't recall Gawn ever starting the season well.  His shocker against Port in 2019, last year when he struggled against Lloyd Meek from freo (Darcy didn't play in round 1) and only average against Paul Hunter in round 2 against the Saints (neither Ryder nor Marshall played that night).  Both seasons turned out pretty well - AA in both.  I'm happy to wait a couple more before even slightly being concerned.  Plenty of credits in the bank for the big fella.

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    34 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

    The humid slippery conditions were very much against the big men against the suns. Very few marks were taken. Also I think Max was shafted by the umpires when against English. A greater sample of games is needed before writing Max off.

    Good post

    The conditions were really tough on Saturday night and Max ran himself into the ground 

    Toghest job in the game dropping back into dangerous positions & trying to take overhead marks in humid & slippery conditions 

    I’d say the five time All Australian has a few credits in the bank before we think he’s on the slippery slope

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    Depends what you want to class as a slow start. Impact perhaps? He had impact in round 1 for sure.
    In the two games so far he’s averaging more disposals, more contested possessions, more clearances and more score involvements than his career average in those stats. He’s slightly down on hitout wins and hit outs to advantage. 
    Hasn’t taken many marks and he’s usually known for dropping back and intercepting, haven’t really seen Max drop back that much this season. 

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    ……… and regardless of his current form (which is of no concern to me whatsoever!),  Max is the very best leader in the AFL by a country mile.  He’s pacing himself beautifully, with Dogga at his side.  There isn’t another team in the AFL who wouldn’t be envious of our ruck  duo.

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    I really wish the club would go to the AFL and complain about the treatment he cops from opposition players that never goes punished. 

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    It's a long season - 22 games and hopefully minimum two finals.

    Pace yourself Maxie. No need to expend too much energy being dominant all year.

    I recall the lions had a ruckman who took the whole year to come good and then starred in three flags. That's all I expect.

    For those old enough to remember Gabbo took the whole season to lose weight and get fit.

    So long as the dees keep wining then the finals will be like another season.

    GO GOODY GO DEES

     

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    Playing a team role beautifully.

    He's two good possessions off his 2021 and that's all, while clearly taking an accountable role to neutralise opposition rucks.

    He may have another comparatively quiet game against Essendon on Friday, looking to physically evaporate Sam Draper, which will again give Jackson a chance to play free and wild.

    Gawn is giving Jackson the kind of support and protection that few young rucks would dare dream about and it is also giving the Demons the very best attacking output from the young gun.

    This is dynasty-building stuff we're watching.

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    I agree with all supporting comments with regards to Max.

    He has made a bit of a pledge to try and play off in a Grand Final and hopefully the ultimate success, on the MCG.

    He is only interested in the 4 points. We are 2 for 2, maximum of 8 points. That is his focus. We will have to go through tough times yet this season one would assume and Max will be there for us. He is the best Captain in the league and one of the major reasons I believe we can go back to back. He is much loved by his players, his coach and us.

    In Max we trust.

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