Fans all say same thing as AFL world erupts over Max Gawn's post-match moment
AFL fans and commentators are singing the praises of Max Gawn after a staggering performance and classy post-match speech on Thursday night blew everyone away. Gawn returned to his brilliant best as the Melbourne Demons beat Richmond 12.11 (83) to 9.9 (63) at the MCG on Anzac Day eve.
The ruckman was everywhere as he tallied 25 disposals, nine marks, six clearances and a dozen score involvements as the most influential player on the ground. Tellingly, the Tigers only made the scoreline a lot closer at the death because Gawn was rested and taken off the ground.
Gawn's starring performance earned him a second-consecutive Frank 'Checker' Hughes Medal - awarded to the best player on ground in the annual Melbourne-Richmond clash on Anzac Day eve. The 33-year-old delivered a brilliant speech after being bestowed the honour.
"It's been 10 years (of the fixture) and the occasion is never lost on me," he said. "This is an unbelievable game to be able to play in. We had an amazing speaker this week in Paul Warren, and it just puts a lot of things into perspective for the group. We are truly honoured to be able to play in this game and I can't wait to watch tomorrow as well because it is a truly special weekend for the Anzacs."
The AFL world was quick to praise Gawn for his performance on Thursday night, as well as the way he spoke afterwards. "He's just an extraordinary leader and we've seen in the last two weeks once again he's been able to drive the right things and lead the footy club incredibly well," said coach Simon Goodwin.
"We do hope he keeps playing to this standard. That would be nice. He's got enormous pride in his game and you're seeing one of the best ever in the game go about his craft. What we've seen in the last few weeks is he's just reminding everyone that there's that little bit more left in him."
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The Demons started the season in diabolical fashion with five-straight losses. But they've now won back-to-back games - and Gawn has been the stand-out.
It comes after Goodwin revealed earlier this year that Gawn hadn't been at his best on-field because of personal issues he's been dealing with away from footy. Goodwin copped backlash for opening up speculation about Gawn's private life, forcing Gawn to reveal he'd been dealing with an illness in the family for some time.
Absolute beast of a human. He deserves every accolade he gets.
— Jeffreyhead (@JeffHeadSC) April 24, 2025
The Magnificent Max Gawn was sensational again tonight. He was rested for the last 8 minutes of the game and he still had 34 Hitouts, 25 Disposals, 9 Marks and 4 Tackles. He was in beast mode 💪 @melbournefc @7AFL @AFL @FOXFOOTY @kayosports pic.twitter.com/3SntwzlrhS
— Aaron ⚓🏀 ⚾️ 🏈 (@bowling23) April 24, 2025
Possibly the greatest Dee
— SDopions (@ScottDA74169473) April 24, 2025
Still the best ruckman in the game.Walk up Hall of Famer.
— Matt Buckingham (@Choppa_91) April 24, 2025
Max Gawn = Good Bloke & Champion 👏 #AFLDeesTigers
— Fraze... (@TigerFraze) April 24, 2025
Max Gawn awarded the Frank 'Checker' Hughes Medal. Well deserved ❤️💙
— Hayley (@Hayleyyemma) April 24, 2025
Goodwin said he hopes a renewed focus on pressure can be the turning point in his side's season. A dominant third quarter on Thursday night saw Melbourne deliver the fifth-best pressure rating of any side in the last five years.
"When you start to value the right things in the game, that's the biggest thing, that shift of the energy," Goodwin said. "We were focusing on some things in the game and getting very disappointed when they weren't happening.
"Now we've re-centred our focus about what's important in the game and you can see our ability just to keep playing. We play with an energy, a determination, a grit and a resilience that people that have watched Melbourne over the last seven or eight years have come to know. That identity is starting to come back and with that, belief is starting to come back, which is a great thing for our footy club."
with AAP
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