It's Young talent time as wayward Dockers crush Eagles
Young tallied 23 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and 555m gained to win the Glendinning-Allan Medal in the 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph in front of 54,384 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old came on as the sub in his first game back from hamstring surgery in last week's one-point win over Collingwood, but he was unleashed from the very start of Saturday's game before being subbed out early in the last.
Young was the dominant figure of the opening term, and his ruthlessness in front of goal when his teammates continually missed was another sign of just how important he is to the club's flag push.
"It's handy, and we've missed his ball use at times this year," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Young's accuracy.
"I thought he was clean, I thought he found space, I thought he finished well. He was sharp.
"He gives another big body around there as well, which helps Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and the other mids."
Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements.
Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough.
For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos.
Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner.
The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons.
West Coast were forced into a late change when defender Harry Edwards injured his hamstring in the warm-up,
Harley Reid was target No.1 in the opening quarter.
First, he was involved in a wrestle with Fremantle veteran Jaeger O'Meara.
Later in the term, he was caught unaware when he was flattened in an off-the-ball bump from Patrick Voss (three goals).
West Coast kept pace with Fremantle early, but two goals in a minute to Frederick, followed by two goals in a minute to Young, blew the scoreboard out to 40-12 by quarter-time.
Fremantle's 14-7 clearance count in the opening quarter was ominous, with Young tallying 10 disposals, five clearances and two goals in a brilliant individual display.
Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest.
Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points.
The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open.
"I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said.
"I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us."
Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has showcased what a weapon he will be in the club's AFL premiership push as the Dockers brushed aside West Coast by 49 points in a fiery western derby clash.
Young tallied 23 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and 555m gained to win the Glendinning-Allan Medal in the 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph in front of 54,384 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old came on as the sub in his first game back from hamstring surgery in last week's one-point win over Collingwood, but he was unleashed from the very start of Saturday's game before being subbed out early in the last.
Young was the dominant figure of the opening term, and his ruthlessness in front of goal when his teammates continually missed was another sign of just how important he is to the club's flag push.
"It's handy, and we've missed his ball use at times this year," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Young's accuracy.
"I thought he was clean, I thought he found space, I thought he finished well. He was sharp.
"He gives another big body around there as well, which helps Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and the other mids."
Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements.
Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough.
For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos.
Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner.
The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons.
West Coast were forced into a late change when defender Harry Edwards injured his hamstring in the warm-up,
Harley Reid was target No.1 in the opening quarter.
First, he was involved in a wrestle with Fremantle veteran Jaeger O'Meara.
Later in the term, he was caught unaware when he was flattened in an off-the-ball bump from Patrick Voss (three goals).
West Coast kept pace with Fremantle early, but two goals in a minute to Frederick, followed by two goals in a minute to Young, blew the scoreboard out to 40-12 by quarter-time.
Fremantle's 14-7 clearance count in the opening quarter was ominous, with Young tallying 10 disposals, five clearances and two goals in a brilliant individual display.
Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest.
Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points.
The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open.
"I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said.
"I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us."
Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has showcased what a weapon he will be in the club's AFL premiership push as the Dockers brushed aside West Coast by 49 points in a fiery western derby clash.
Young tallied 23 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and 555m gained to win the Glendinning-Allan Medal in the 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph in front of 54,384 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old came on as the sub in his first game back from hamstring surgery in last week's one-point win over Collingwood, but he was unleashed from the very start of Saturday's game before being subbed out early in the last.
Young was the dominant figure of the opening term, and his ruthlessness in front of goal when his teammates continually missed was another sign of just how important he is to the club's flag push.
"It's handy, and we've missed his ball use at times this year," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Young's accuracy.
"I thought he was clean, I thought he found space, I thought he finished well. He was sharp.
"He gives another big body around there as well, which helps Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and the other mids."
Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements.
Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough.
For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos.
Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner.
The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons.
West Coast were forced into a late change when defender Harry Edwards injured his hamstring in the warm-up,
Harley Reid was target No.1 in the opening quarter.
First, he was involved in a wrestle with Fremantle veteran Jaeger O'Meara.
Later in the term, he was caught unaware when he was flattened in an off-the-ball bump from Patrick Voss (three goals).
West Coast kept pace with Fremantle early, but two goals in a minute to Frederick, followed by two goals in a minute to Young, blew the scoreboard out to 40-12 by quarter-time.
Fremantle's 14-7 clearance count in the opening quarter was ominous, with Young tallying 10 disposals, five clearances and two goals in a brilliant individual display.
Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest.
Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points.
The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open.
"I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said.
"I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us."
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News.com.au
7 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Extraordinary': Crows edge Hawks in thriller as clutch hero leads stunning AFL flag push
Adelaide has climbed into first place on the ladder and moved another step closer toward a top-two finish after outlasting a gutsy Hawks outfit in a topsy turvy, Friday night classic at Adelaide Oval. A contest filled with twists, turns and several lead changes, the Crows stormed home with six goals — two to Izak Rankine — in the final quarter as Matthew Nicks' side claimed a 14-point win, 15.11 (101) to 13.9 (87). Rankine's clutch fourth term helped turn the game, with the Crows star racking up seven disposals (four contested) along with his two goals and setting up another to Taylor Walker, who nailed two important late majors himself. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Meanwhile Riley Thilthorpe (four goals) and Jordan Dawson (21 touches, 12 tackles, two goals) also starred as the Crows charge towards their first finals campaign since 2017. 'There's a lot to like about what's going on with the Adelaide Football Club,' Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy post-match. 'There's every reason to think they can go deep into September. They're growing in confidence and belief and that's important. 'Because from where they've come from, they haven't had this belief before. But they've committed to the path, they're seeing the fruits of the labour, it pays handsome dividends. 'You look on each line and think: 'There are players here who can get us where we need to go'.' It came after Hawthorn started the game on fire with a five-goal first quarter, before Adelaide returned serve with a six-goal unanswered second term in wild momentum swings. It was the Hawks turn to fightback with a six-major third term — capped off by a brilliant Jack Ginnivan left-foot finish — to set up an epic finish as the visitors led by eight points at the final change. But Adelaide had the answers in the final stanza, despite a big scare when Jack Gunston kicked consecutive goals from free kicks to briefly get the Hawks the lead back, until Rankine and Walker guided the hosts to victory. It saw the Crows improve to 15-5 to currently sit first on the ladder and continue the club's extraordinary rise, though Collingwood can regain top spot if it can defeat Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday night. But Adelaide has consolidated a top two spot ahead of matches against West Coast (Optus Stadium), Collingwood (Adelaide Oval) and North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium) to finish its home and away campaign. Hawthorn meanwhile fell to 13-7 and is suddenly in jeopardy of missing the top eight ahead of clashes with Collingwood, Melbourne (both MCG) and Brisbane (Gabba) on its run home. The 3-2-1 (via Jack Jovanovski) ... 3. 'EXTRAORDINARY SEQUENCES' AS SKIPPER, SPARKPLUG STEER 'TREMENDOUS' FIGHTBACK It was Jordan Dawson who spearheaded the initial comeback after quarter-time, but fourth-quarter matchwinning moments from Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker ensured the Crows overturned an eight-point three-quarter-time deficit to win by 14 points and temporarily claim top spot on the ladder. The spectacle well and truly lived up to its Friday night billing, with the visiting Hawks throwing everything they had at the hosts in the first and third quarters, but Adelaide again proved why it's shaping as an almighty premiership threat eight years on from the false dawn of 2017. The Crows entered having won 10 of 11 games at Adelaide Oval this year, but it was the visitors who took centre stage at the outset. Hawthorn kicked five goals before the Crows managed their first major via Darcy Fogarty. But while they'd been undone by the Hawks at stoppage, a calm and rational Matthew Nicks recalibrated his group at quarter-time before his troops issued a stark response. Captain Jordan Dawson was at the forefront of Adelaide's fightback, with key spearhead Riley Thilthorpe also bearing the fruits of its second stanza dominance. 'It's a skipper-led comeback, isn't it? Four possessions, a clearance and a couple of goals already in this second term — more than anyone else on the ground. That was head-to-head with Jai Newcombe … and he was just too good,' AFL legend Jason Dunstall said on the Fox Footy broadcast. Demons icon and former captain Garry Lyon added: 'I loved what he did at the start of the second quarter. Will Day was outstanding (in the first quarter), and (Dawson) just went to the centre square and … stood right beside him as if to say 'OK, we know we've got work to do, let me lead the way here, and I'll take the most dangerous'.' Dunstall added: 'This has been a tremendous surge by the Crows.' Thilthorpe kicked three goals in the quarter, and all in all, it was eight unanswered goals between late in the first quarter and early in the third. Dunstall said at the main change: 'They've had a dominant second term where they were just controlling every single category, (the) ball living in their forward half, (and) defence completely on top on the rare occasions the Hawks did go forward. This is impressive.' In the second quarter alone, the Crows were +9 for inside-50s and +22 for contested possessions. But for a team that has looked as defensively stout as any in the competition bar Collingwood this year, the Crows allowed a second run of five unanswered goals as the visitors took an eight-point lead into the final change. But as you almost would have predicted, the way this game was going, the Crows had yet another resurgence in them, booting the first three majors of the final term. 'I've never seen a night like this, the way this has swung around,' Lyon said in the final quarter as Adelaide got on top by 12 points. Caller Anthony Hudson added: 'These extraordinary sequences are continuing in this game.' A piece of Izak Rankine brilliance from a boundary throw-in ensured the Crows got their noses back in front after a couple of Hawthorn goals. Rankine was doing the business for Adelaide in the final 30 minutes, notching seven disposals, two goals and five score involvements. 'He's had seven touches in the last quarter, five of them result in scores, he's kicked two himself, and he's had about three different opponents … sometimes you've just got to dip your lid, and Izak Rankine is the one.' Dunstall said: 'This is a team that's got some matchwinners. This man here, Izak Rankine, is worth his weight in gold. He can turn a game in the space of 10 minutes.' Rankine finished his night with an equal-game-high nine score involvements to go with his three goals. Two massive Taylor Walker set shot goals provided the Crows the buffer they needed to close out the deal. Walker also posted seven score involvements for the evening. 'They (the Hawks) came out firing and we didn't bring our best contest, but unbelievable effort from the boys to fight back in that second quarter, and then from there on, it was just an arm wrestle,' Dawson told Fox Footy after the final siren. Of Nicks' message at quarter-time, Dawson said: 'I mean, we haven't had too many quarters like that this year. He was really calm, really measured, (just talking about getting) back to our process, to keep trusting each other in our roles — which we've been doing the whole year — but we got away from that, we got a little bit too sucked into the contest. Unbelievable to turn it around, and it just shows the maturity of the group.' 2. HAWKS' BLOW IN FINALS RACE AS SCRIPT BRUTALLY FLIPPED AMID 21-YEAR FIRST It was a Hawthorn blitz early in proceedings at Adelaide Oval, and it was all about its work at clearance. The Hawks were comprehensive at the source, winning the first-quarter count 15-5 to give themselves quality scoring chances. Evergreen forward Jack Gunston booted two of the first three goals for the Hawks, who hit hard off counterpunch, characteristically looking to go through the corridor as they piled on five unanswered majors before Adelaide's first to lead by 26 points at the first change. 'They were on fire. Perfect what-to-do on the road is get off hard, win the clearances, win the contested ball, tackle hard and put Adelaide on the back foot,' Adelaide Crows icon Mark Ricciuto assessed on Fox Footy. Dunstall added the Hawks' clearance ascendancy was a rarity this season: 'Fifteen to five for clearances … that's an advantage they've rarely enjoyed this season. And then that translates to a territory advantage … the defence stood up; they conceded 1.1 from 11 inside-50s.' The Hawks finished the opening term +20 for points from clearance. Six of their clearances came via Will Day, with that being the best effort in a quarter by a Hawthorn player this season. But in the second term, the script was completely flipped on its head as the home side got to work. The Crows went on an unanswered run of eight goals to strike fear into the hearts of the Hawks, lifting their intensity to a critical level. It was the first time the Hawks had been held scoreless in a second quarter since Round 22, 2004. 'It was an extraordinary first quarter from the Hawks — they fired their best shot — and the Crows just said 'I see that and I'll raise you',' Dunstall said at half-time. Hawthorn allowed Adelaide 23 more contested possessions in the second quarter alone. The Hawks still had nine more clearances at half-time, but they'd been overtaken for territory, with the Crows generating four more entries. 'Hawthorn can't allow 22 (contested possessions) against (in the third), because then it's not going to matter what they do in front or behind the ball, it's not going to be enough,' Buckley said. 'We'll see — Dawson and Day, we'll see Newcombe and Berry; we'll see these matchups through the middle of the field … those contests are going to be instructive.' Conor Nash broke Adelaide's run of eight-straight goals at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, before the Hawks incredibly went on another rampant run of majors — booting five in a row for the second time on Friday night. Lyon said the response from Mitchell's charges was 'fantastic' after giving up the first goal of the term to trail by as many as 22 points, generating their scores off the back of 10 intercept marks in the quarter. 'Let's just put this in perspective. They gave up 20+ contested possessions in the second quarter, so to go in and gather yourself, give up the first goal of the third quarter, and then bang five in a row — fantastic response,' Lyon said. But inaccuracy was problematic in the final stanza, with the Hawks managing a measly 2.4 to Adelaide's 6.2 as they surrendered their eight-point three-quarter-time lead. The loss means the Hawks could finish the round as low as seventh on the ladder, with daunting matchups with Collingwood and Brisbane among its last three games of the home-and-away season. And in a year where it appears 15 wins might be necessary to guarantee a place in September, Hawthorn will simply have to win one of those Pies and Lions games to get to that number and give themselves a chance. 1. SAM'S FORWARD GAMBLE FALLS FLAT Sam Mitchell's bold selection call to play four tall forwards justifiably prompted plenty of media attention in the lead-up. They hadn't done it all year, so why now? Mabior Chol was the man recalled on Friday night after missing with a groin complaint, lining up alongside Jack Gunston, Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis. Speaking pre-game, the senior coach told Fox Footy his reasoning: 'A bit of availability, we play three a lot of the time on the field — and you'll only see three on the field at once — it (also) fixes a bit of second-ruck issues for us. It'll be good to get 'Mabs' back, he's been important for us all year.' Chol bagged an early goal — an impressive set shot — to settle nerves, but from that point on, there was basically nothing to note from himself and the likes of Dear and Lewis. Typically, Gunston was the one consistently presenting a threat, kicking two in the first half and finishing the night with four majors and seven score involvements. Halfway through the third quarter, Mitchell made his move — an admission of sorts — tactically removing Dear from the contest after the young high-marker went scoreless with no marks and just three disposals in 67 per cent game time. 'It's an interesting one, (subbing) Calsher Dear. Lewis is the one that can't really get to the contests at the moment,' Lyon said of the move. Mitchell's choice to name James Worpel the sub initially looked a perplexing one on paper, but you got the sense it was to rebalance the side if the plan to field four talls didn't bear fruits. Lewis kicked his first of the night with a snap at the 23-minute mark of the third, capping his night with seven disposals and four marks. Lewis, Dear and Chol combined for two goals. Again, it was the small who went to work for Hawthorn, with Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan combining for 12 score involvements, and Dylan Moore adding five of his own and a goal.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Where Fremantle Dockers' finals hopes sit ahead of clash with Carlton Blues
Fremantle have officially hit the business end. And the task is now simple — just keep winning. The high-flying Dockers — who have won nine of their past 10 games — jumped above Greater Western Sydney into sixth on the ladder on Thursday after the Giants were belted by the Western Bulldogs. But the Dogs' victory means Justin Longmuir's side is likely now needs to win three of their remaining four games to play finals. That run starts with a clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday, which they will enter as heavy favourites. Fremantle then take on Port Adelaide, reigning premiers Brisbane and the Bulldogs in the final month of the season. According to Champion Data, that is the eighth hardest run home of any side. The Bulldogs' stunning 88-point win over the Giants means their blockbuster round 24 match against the Dockers is already looming large as the one set to decide both teams' finals hopes. If Luke Beveridge's side had lost, the Dockers would have almost certainly made finals by winning just two of their four remaining matches, taking the heat off their end to the season. It means Fremantle fans should be right behind the Bulldogs' opponents across the next two weeks — and that includes West Coast. The eighth-placed Bulldogs play battlers Melbourne off a 10-day break next Sunday, before they take on the last-placed Eagles at Marvel Stadium. Beveridge said they are not looking any further than that clash with the Demons. 'It is that cliché about just the next opponent. We have got Melbourne at the 'G on a Sunday, which is a fair way away now, so we have a bit of time to think about it, which is not always a good thing,' Beveridge said. 'We really don't look much further.' GWS are the only top-nine team the Bulldogs have beaten this season. It's the stat most likely to haunt them as they try to pip the Dockers in the race to the finals. 'We understand the criticism around not necessarily being able to eek our way further up the later and beating some teams above us,' Beveridge said. 'We understand that, we have got to own up to all of that.' The Giants' defeat brings them back down into the pack. They could have cemented their place in the Thursday night blockbuster. 'The Bulldogs felt like they were playing for their season and clearly we weren't,' coach Adam Kingsley said. 'We'd prefer it didn't happen, but we have got an opportunity to respond. I don't think that (the performance) is us, and it hasn't been us for a long time, but it was tonight.' Fremantle star Hayden Young's return has helped turbocharge their run to the finals. He told The West Australian earlier this week the team's best football was good enough to beat any of their rivals at the top end of the ladder. 'We beat top of the ladder (Collingwood) last week, so it just proves to us that, you know, when we can play our brand for longer, we can beat anyone. And we keep believing in that and keep working on those few areas about not falling away,' Young said.
Herald Sun
11 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Max Gawn: Inside Melbourne skipper's remarkable captaincy reign
Max Gawn doesn't need a statue erected in his likeness when Melbourne eventually finds a new home base. He needs someone to get on to the powers that be in Rome and wrangle up a sainthood. As the Demons were picking up the pieces of another gut-wrenching, soul-destroying loss that could help decide Simon Goodwin's fate there was Gawn again. Explaining why they sky hadn't fallen in (it had), spruiking a new dawn, backing the club to front up against West Coast in a contest it just cannot lose under any circumstances. Gawn is officially Melbourne's captain. In reality he is everything to this club. He has been a part-time nanny when Clayton Oliver was struggling off the field, opening up his home to the Demons star. He has been a part-time mediator, when teammates Jake Melksham and Steven May brawled outside the Entrecote restaurant. He has been a full-time psychoanalyst, desperately attempting to decipher Christian Petracca's motivations when he suddenly turned against the club after initially appearing happy with its support over his King's Birthday injury. This year he turned crisis-manager when coach Goodwin unwittingly exposed a family health issue when he spoke of the 'backstory' behind his on-field thrashing from Tristan Xerri. And he resisted the temptation to throw May under the bus when his teammate's reaction to his shanked kick against Collingwood was to repeatedly get in his face. What must he truly have wanted to say to May after all the messes he has cleaned up? All this from a captain who has had to spend the past two years backing his coach over a series of headlines over his alleged behavioural issues. And yet despite it all he is still firmly on track for an eighth All-Australian jumper in 10 seasons. He isn't flawless – of his 21 shots at goal this year he has kicked 4.14 and three total misses, even worse than Petracca's 15.21 and 13 total misses (15 goals from 49 shots). But he is pretty close to perfect. Former Carlton captain Marc Murphy can remember the late-night calls and crisis discussions that often came with leading a team through those ups and downs, with his final year at the helm a two-win 2018 season. 'I have been there plenty of times. You get the call from the coach or head of football or president or CEO late at night and it can never be a good thing,' he said on Friday. 'I remember those times. It's almost like, 'Not again, what has happened here'. 'The one thing is that it can take the energy out of your own performances, having those spotfires always constantly bobbing up and take away from your own game. 'Sometimes it can wear you down for the long-term and reduce the amount of seasons you play. But if you look at Max, some guys feed off it. They enjoy playing that role. They enjoy being across everything. He might be a guy who enjoys all the different aspects of it. 'He might really enjoy it. To me he seems the perfect captain. He doesn't get bogged down by the minutiae, he is laid back. And I assume he is one of those guys who just says, 'I am up for the job and want to keep doing it'. Thankfully within Melbourne there is no suggestion Gawn is keen to give up the captaincy, even if at 33 he should be transitioning into his football dotage like Scott Pendlebury. But the issue for Melbourne is that there is no real Darcy Moore type coming along behind him. Gawn's innate skill is finding that beautiful balance between getting on with everyone and realising their own motivations while also being able to deliver blunt feedback. Vice-captain Jack Viney is a strong leader but only knows one way to improve – train harder, work longer, give 110 per cent. Viney would want to concentrate on his own form anyway given his struggles this year, while Jake Lever is 29 and has already been dropped this year amid trade speculation. Petracca has responded in exactly the right way within the club to his annus horribilis and has had a sneaky strong year marred by very ordinary kicking. But given his determination to leave last year he would not be a contender even if Gawn was desperate to hand over the leadership. Tom Sparrow is another emerging leader but apart from him the list isn't exactly oozing leadership potential. It is why it is so easy to make the case that Gawn is the best captain in football. He has held this group together through sheer will and bloody-mindedness while also finding time to thrive as an AFL great. And he will do it again next year as the captain. He might not get his sainthood but like his great mentor Jimmy Stynes he will be as revered as the Demons champions of last century who seemingly won premierships for fun in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
