Swooper1987

As I said, he's not really like Salem at all. He's a better mark, a bit taller, covers the ground better and kicks well over 40 metres rather than Salem's 20 metre chip kicks. He'll pull the trigger and kick in board with great accuracy. Whitfield like, maybe how Grant Birchall played a few years back when the Hawks had all those blokes who never missed with a kick. We'd be better with him for sure.

Luke Darcy is still a selector isn't he? If he is Gawn is a monty for the bench. Darcy loves him. A number of times during the year referred to him as "the best ruckman in the game".

There's plenty of other decent talent - Young and Ash would both suit us. It's disappointing but at the start of the year we'd have been expecting a pick around 16-18.

He has been treated very harshly in the media awards this year. A few weeks back when he got 5 votes in the coaches award against St Kilda, Warwick Green didn't list him in the best and said that Marshall beat him. The Herald Sun has been even harder on him, but at least they gave him the three this week. He'll get 3 Brownlow votes - nothing surer, but I think if Grundy was given 8 for Friday night, against an underdone Bellchambers then Gawn was at least a 9 for his effort against a fully fit and very in form opponent.

I coached against this young fellow when he played juniors at Somerville. Also know him from representative cricket. He's a cracking young man and a real winner. Skills are outstanding, pace is good and he's a hard worker. His brother is at the Bulldogs. I'd be pretty happy if he became a Demon. I'd liken more to Whitfield than Salem to be honest. He's quicker and a better mark than Salem.

We played terribly for most of the season but still lost 7 games by 19 points or less. We could bounce back quickly but a lot needs to go right, starting tomorrow with the exit interviews.

Great summation Joeboy. Have enjoyed your work all season - much more than the performance of the team.

If there was any doubt about two rucks making the AA team again this year that was completely put to rest by Gawn's performance against the third best ruck in the comp. The guy is amazing.

6. Gawn - what more can the man do 5. Viney - an outstanding game on Cunnington 4. Fritsch - a super forward game 3. Frost - great work on the probable Coleman medallist - a soft goal from a downfield free and then another as a result of Oliver's 50 m penalty. 2. Lewis - despite his bad turnover near the end still uses the ball better than just about everyone in our team. 1. Oliver - lots of it but lots wasted.

Gawn 11 disposals at 91%. Towelling Goldy - need to make more of the advantage he's giving us.

Loved this guy. Him and BT match ups were great to watch.

With that logic who do we keep? Trading him puts a flag further away. He's irreplaceable unless you are trading him for Grundy.

Wow - just caught up on this thread. 2018's AA ruckman, most likely AA again this year on the bench. The AFLCA player of the year in 2018 and again in the top echelon this year only a handful of votes behind Grundy who many have said is the best in the league. The player Max comprehensively destroyed in the QB game earlier in the year. He is the most important player in our side - he can mark down the line, behind the ball and in attack. His field kicking is actually very good, his shots at goal are poor. He tackles, he chases, he covers ground, he is a genuine superstar of the competition. He has done all of this with practically zero support from his team mates. Just bizarre!!

It's not even a decent award. Three of the modern greats - Dane Swan, Jonathon Brown and Garry Ablett Jnr, didn't even receive nominations, yet Sam Blease and Jordyn Gysberts received multiple nominations. I'd take the rising star award with a huge grain of salt.

Those suggesting that Oliver has had an ordinary season - the AFL coaches would disagree. He has polled votes in 10 games this year, which is more than Max. Given we have only won 5 games, that is a pretty impressive effort. His season hasn't been as good as his previous two, but that is quite possibly more due to the form of those around him. I'd imagine he'd be embarrassed by the optics of Friday night but I don't think he's a selfish player - just a young man who needs to grow up a bit.

Given how the season's gone, I'm predicting Gawn gets up and then does the same hammy injury he did in 2017, thus ruining his preseason. I think put the big guy on ice and give Preuss a chance against his old mob. As for other changes, I'm beyond caring.

Well deserved result for Max. Has been a shining light in a horrible season.

He's a young man with a great deal to learn. He is an outstanding talent though, and if our coaches can harness that he'll become what we all believe he can be. At the moment it's all about Clayton, and that's a shame because he's the second best player on our list, but well down the list of team player's. He perhaps needs to take a leaf out of Max's book - who is our best player and also our best team player - he helps everyone around him look better.

I'll have a go: 6. Melksham - should have had 5 or 6 but at least was a target and did kick most of our score. 5. Brayshaw - worked harder than most and ran both ways 4. Oliver - he lets himself down on a number on fronts but finds the ball like few others 3. Lewis - can still use the ball well even though the game has passed him by 2. Gawn - gave our midfield opportunity for first use and despite Allir's first quarter was better than the Swans rucks for most of the game. A shame that his season is probably now over. 1. Viney - it was one of Jack's softer games but he was better than the other 16 in red and blue.

He's injured. Saw him grab his hammy (left from memory) earlyish in the second quarter. I think he's been carrying something for a couple of weeks. I doubt he plays next week.

Where does Josh Mahoney sit with all this? This guy has been at the club since 2008 when he came over with Dean Bailey as an assistant coach. He has managed to survive just about the worst period in the clubs history and has outlasted everyone to rise to senior leadership. Just wondering if anyone knows how it is that he has survived so long? I heard Roos once describe him as a potentially great footy administrator (that was about 2014). Any ideas?

How could he not? The precedent was set last year. Gawn is in front on the head to head ledger and according to the coaches votes they have had similar seasons. Both will make the team but in reverse order this year.

Gerard Healy said that Jones would give the captaincy away at the end of the season "On the Couch". There was some discussion about alternatives but seemed to be a consensus that Viney would keep it most likely with someone else (read Gawn). Interestingly Roos said nothing at all. I think we are all out of left field leadership options. Gawn stands out as the obvious choice, I just hope that it doesn't limit his impact as a player. He's been our only shining light this season.

Campbell Brown is Joffa in disguise!! He sets a low bar does this fella. 38% disposal efficiency - that's 6 out of 16 possies getting where they were meant to!! Love your work Joffa!!

Gawn is in the top 15 in the AFLCA award (only 8 votes behind Grundy and having played 1 game less. He's also just outside the top 10 in the Age player of the year, again only 7 votes behind Grundy. So he is a chance to actually finish ahead of him by seasons end. Given he sits comfortably inside the top 10 of the league (and Luke Darcy has often referred to him as the best big man in the comp - and he's an AA selector), he'll make it on the bench. The precedent was set last year.