Will Max Gawn ever be recognised as the best player in the league?

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

I watched the game yesterday evening from the stands and while looking at some Supercoach stats to see Max dominating once again I wondered why he had never been in the discussion as the best player in the league?

We all know Dusty has rightly dominated that label in the past based on performance, but when you look overall at the package Max brings to the AFL you'd be hard pressed to find anyone else at the moment that matches him for influence on and off the ground.

His leadership qualities on field (which can not be measured by us in the cheap seats), and for being instrumental in turning this club around, as well Max's continued contributions on the ground week in and week out. We saw what he could produce when the game is on line.

For me big Max is first pick, and I really do wonder when the experts, which most have been at club land will stand up and say we need to recognise the package and not just stats.

 

Or... are we that shallow as a society that only stats matter?.

 

[Webber 10,468]

5 minutes ago, COVID Dan said:

Or... are we that shallow as a society that only stats matter?.

Ummm….yes, probably. Max is generational football fairydust. He was the difference yesterday, and for all the reasons you state, the best big man I’ve seen play. Underappreciated and always will be. Until he retires, maybe. The good thing being it seems he couldn’t care less. 

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

4 minutes ago, Webber said:

Ummm….yes, probably. Max is generational football fairydust. He was the difference yesterday, and for all the reasons you state, the best big man I’ve seen play. Underappreciated and always will be. Until he retires, maybe. The good thing being it seems he couldn’t care less. 

Yep I agree.

When you watch a game live his ability for a big man to get around the ground and impact the game is incredible. The amount of times he assists in defence, rucks and contributes up forward is impressive.

His ability to hit the scoreboard now, I personally believe puts him in that elite category and should be talked about as being one of the best in the league.

We have been really luck as MFC supporters with talented big men, from Jim, to White and now Jackson the apprentice, I believe big Maxy maybe the best of them all. (apologies to pre 90s i was too young to see or remember any others).

[chook fowler 19,459]

And also ranks now with Barrassi and Flower as aDemon great

[BAMF 4,353]

Mitchell gave huge praise for Maxy in his presser.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

2 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

And also ranks now with Barrassi and Flower as aDemon great

I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself here.... but I can foresee Legend status.

And it has inspired me to get back to the footy because I personally didn't realise how lucky we were to be watching this week in week out.

[Nelo 813]

8 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

And also ranks now with Barrassi and Flower as aDemon great

Absolutely agree. He has been an incredible player for the Dees. 

[Willmoy1947 4,092]

Recognise and let it run, would be my thought..

[whatwhat say what 22,772]

i don't think we acknowledge often enough that gawn, oliver and petracca are three of the greatest demon players in the last 50+ years

gawn is a brilliant player and an outstanding leader

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

22 minutes ago, BAMF said:

Mitchell gave huge praise for Maxy in his presser.

Funnily enough the Hawks seem to be obsessed with him, from the supporter base to the coach.

Gave me a good giggle all game hearing the Hawks fans complaining they kept kicking it to Max.

 

Edit: We are in their heads - when is the last time we could say that about one of our players/team

Edited April 30, 2022 by COVID Dan

[Webber 10,468]

12 minutes ago, COVID Dan said:

(apologies to pre 90s i was too young to see or remember any others).

Not sure you missed much from the 70’s and 80’s COVID Dan. Carl Ditterich and Peter Moore (Brownlow winner) were both great, but not one club players, and had effectively cameo years. Which leaves Crackers Keenan, Gary Baker and Strawbs O’Dwyer, all with their charms, but a few rungs lower. 

[Monocology 1,109]

Last week I was sitting next to an astute young Dee who wanted to talk about the very same thing. Had me again annoyed at the fact that we're all hard wired into placing possession mids at the top of the alter (.....me guilty also by placing Clarry above all).

Gawns elite ability to defend & offer a target, on top of ruck duties, is unmatched.

Special mention to Mayzie - he's been the difference in so many games yet never given BOG (maybe once in Cairns?)

Tall tough guys have feelings too.

[dee-tox 4,835]

At the moment I think he is the best player in the comp. His last four games have been inspirational.

Getting clearances, kicking goals, laying tackles...

I am not sure if I had to choose one player who else I would want in my side.

[Slartibartfast 17,306]

Simon Madden and Dean Cox were the two best genuine rucks I’ve seen in my life. Maxy is now well in the conversation, ahead of Cox for me and perhaps Madden, but comparing players of such different vintages is very difficult. 

[FlashInThePan 1,893]

There is no doubt in my mind that Gawn is one of the best rucks to play the game. Once someone gets to that point it gets hard to say what defines ‘the best’. So much is opinion and preference.

 What I love about Max is not just his mad tap skills and his marking and now goal kicking, it is his leadership. He is a big reason that we have this team first mentality that has pushed us to the front of the pack.

i don’t know if he is the best that ever played, but he is a great of the game, no doubt. I feel super lucky that he is our captain, long may it continue.

[Dingo 1,059]

20 minutes ago, COVID Dan said:

Funnily enough the Hawks seem to be obsessed with him, from the supporter base to the coach.

Gave me a good giggle all game hearing the Hawks fans complaining they kept kicking it to Max.

 

Edit: We are in their heads - when is the last time we could say that about one of our players/team

 

[Dingo 1,059]

I went to the Adelaide game and Port supporters were also complaining about their players kicking it to “Max” .Not Gawn.Not that mongrel  Gawn.They didn’t boo him.They respected his skills and stamina.I reckon most non Melbourne supporters feel like that.

[whatwhat say what 22,772]

1 minute ago, Dingo said:

I went to the Adelaide game and Port supporters were also complaining about their players kicking it to “Max” .Not Gawn.Not that mongrel  Gawn.They didn’t boo him.They respected his skills and stamina.I reckon most non Melbourne supporters feel like that.

he's replaced eddie betts as the most universally respected and admired and genuinely liked player in the game

[He de mon 927]

What has impressed me is his improvement when the ball hits the ground. He does stuff a player of his size shouldn't be able to do.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,241]

34 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i don't think we acknowledge often enough that gawn, oliver and petracca are three of the greatest demon players in the last 50+ years

gawn is a brilliant player and an outstanding leader

Further to that SWSW, in my view, the above mentioned 3 stand, without doubt among Melbourne's best ever!

And .... they are in the same team !!!!!!

[Swooper1987 3,322]

In the pre season poll the media do with the the coaching panels Max got 4 votes as the best player in the game.  That was more than Oliver (0) and Petracca (1) from memory.  I think the opposition understand how good Max is.  he's definitely not underrated by them.

[bush demon 2,041]

Gawny is a great player in a great team players like Gary Baker were A grade guns in modest teams that didn't get on the telly.

[djr 1,527]

1 hour ago, COVID Dan said:

I watched the game yesterday evening from the stands and while looking at some Supercoach stats to see Max dominating once again I wondered why he had never been in the discussion as the best player in the league?

We all know Dusty has rightly dominated that label in the past based on performance, but when you look overall at the package Max brings to the AFL you'd be hard pressed to find anyone else at the moment that matches him for influence on and off the ground.

His leadership qualities on field (which can not be measured by us in the cheap seats), and for being instrumental in turning this club around, as well Max's continued contributions on the ground week in and week out. We saw what he could produce when the game is on line.

For me big Max is first pick, and I really do wonder when the experts, which most have been at club land will stand up and say we need to recognise the package and not just stats.

 

Or... are we that shallow as a society that only stats matter?.

 

Champion Data doesn't even classify him as elite

[58er 6,455]

53 minutes ago, COVID Dan said:

I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself here.... but I can foresee Legend status.

And it has inspired me to get back to the footy because I personally didn't realise how lucky we were to be watching this week in week out.

Throwing in the steak knives such as

Clarry Trac JackV Lingers Maysie Rick Dogga Kossie BBB Salo Bowser ANB Gus Riv Tmac etc. 

who are pretty good to watch also. 

[BDA 22,755]

He has standards and sets a great example for the rest of the group. Look at the physical condition he is in. A lot of hard work goes in to building a tank like he has. There aren't many players in the league can get up and down the ground like he does. He just keeps improving as well and has added goal kicking to his repertoire. Another AA jacket on the way and most likely as captain as well

We're blessed people