Latest news with #MaxGawn
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Melbourne v St Kilda, West Coast v Geelong AFL Round 12: Live updates, SuperCoach scores, teams
There are just two Sunday games in round 12 as the first weekend of the mid-season byes wraps up. But there is plenty to play for on the field, and in SuperCoach. Injuries and a host of missing bye players have made for a challenging round, but another huge score from Max Gawn could paper over a whole lot of cracks. And it could be on the cards – Gawn, who has a five-round average of 157 – scored 180 points the last time he faced the Saints, in round 11 last year. Melbourne can keep its season alive with a win, while the Saints are searching for their first win since they humbled Fremantle in round 8. In the final game of the round, Geelong travels west to face West Coast at Optus Stadium. Follow all the action and SuperCoach news in the live blog below. Originally published as Melbourne v St Kilda, West Coast v Geelong AFL Round 12: Live updates, SuperCoach scores, teams
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Pushing the best players to keep going regardless of age is helping AFL teams boost premiership chances
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin lauded superstar skipper Max Gawn as a 'master of his craft' and, as one of the AFL's best players at age 33, said the shift was on towards helping the aged elite play for as long as possible. As 36-year-old Brisbane Lions gun Dayne Zorko prepares to rack up a 50th consecutive match against Essendon at the Gabba on Thursday night, Collingwood recalled 37-year-old Scott Pendlebury and 34-year-old Steele Sidebottom for a blockbuster Friday clash with Hawthorn. The importance of all three veteran stars to their premiership-contending teams cannot be understated and the remarkable form of ruckman Gawn has helped propel the Demons to six straight wins and put them back in finals contention. As a raft of older players were taken by clubs in Wednesday night's mid-season rookie draft, Goodwin said the old adage that players would be on the decline after they turned 30 was no longer relevant. He pointed to 33-year-old Jake Melksham as another veteran Demon who was getting better 'the older he gets' and said the reliability of older players was becoming more than just an asset but a weapon. 'I think you have already seen that shift taking place. Clearly, players are playing for a little bit longer,' Goodwin said. 'Back in the day when you got to 30 you were starting to think about the end of your career and clubs were similar in terms of how they looked at players. 'Right now it comes down to an individualised thing and you are seeing right across the competition … a whole range of different guys who are mid 30 and playing exceptional footy and clubs are taking note of that. 'Jake Melksham for us, he seems to be getting better the old he gets and that experience, you just can't buy.' Gawn is on track for what would an eighth all-Australian blazer. At the MCG last Sunday, he destroyed former protege Brody Grundy in a huge Demons win over Sydney and Goodwin couldn't sing his captain's praises any higher. 'What you are seeing is someone who is the master of his craft,' he said. 'He has worked for 13 years on being a great ruckman and has really focused on what that looks like, both from a ruck perspective but also from an aerial perspective. What we are seeing is a guy who is incredibly professional. 'He looks after himself incredibly well and is playing to a really high level.'
The Australian
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL Round 11 SuperCoach scores, trade advice: Melbourne v Sydney, St Kilda v Gold Coast, Adelaide v West Coast
All aboard the Demons train? Melbourne's big SuperCoach names all put up huge numbers as the Dees registered one of their best wins since their 2021 flag against Sydney. But we can't say the same for the top picks at the Eagles. Here are the seven key takeaways from a big Sunday of round 11 action. RECAP ALL TODAY'S ACTION IN THE BLOG BELOW 1. DEES TURN BACK CLOCK Melbourne piled on 36 scoring shots against Sydney at the MCG, and all the Demons' big names racked up the SuperCoach points, led by another huge Max Gawn performance – 21 disposals, nine tackles, 35 hitouts, 17 contested possessions, 153 SuperCoach points – opposed to old teammate Brodie Grundy. Clayton Oliver bagged an equal season-high 130, Christian Petracca scored 125 in game 200, and they were just three of six Demons to crack the SuperCoach ton. Are they a SuperCoach-friendly side again? 2. LINE UP FOR THE KOZZIE PICKETT SHOW This guy could be the pick of the bunch – at least in terms of value. Starting the round valued at $458,400, Kysaiah Pickett lit up the MCG with five goals and 148 SuperCoach points, and it wasn't a one-off performance. That's three 100-plus scores in a row as he transitions to a genuine midfielder-forward in 2025 – so much so he's set to receive dual-position status in SuperCoach at the close of the round. If you like a POD, he's in 1 per cent of teams. Kysaiah Pickett kicked five goals against Sydney playing a mix of midfield and forward. Picture:3. EEK, EAGLES! SuperCoaches across the country are up in arms over the performances of three West Coast Eagles. Tom Gross, Matt Flynn and Ryan Maric harmed a lot of sides with showings well below their best against Adelaide. Gross avoided the starting sub role but it didn't help him much – he was subbed out of the match during the third quarter with only seven points – six below his break even – while Flynn and Maric had little impact. Flynn finished the game 46 and Maric 48. Yuck. 4. MILLS MRO WATCH Callum Mills is a bargain in the backline at just $357,200. Playing his first game since suffering a foot injury in February, Mills started strongly with seven touches in the first term before finishing with 17, a goal and 69 SuperCoach points playing mainly at half-back. He's an option for coaches looking for a cheap injury replacement heading into the mid-season byes, but we'll have to wait for the MRO verdict on a high bump that flattened Charlie Spargo. 5. SUPER SUB PUSHES HIS CASE It's best 18 scoring for the next five rounds, and with a host of premiums missing next week we'll need every bench player to stand up and be counted. Bubble boy Hugh Boxshall did his best to stake his claim after starting as the sub for St Kilda. He was activated just before three-quarter time but showed plenty when given a chance, racking up eight disposals, three tackles and one brilliant contested knock-on that set up a goal to Cooper Sharman. Give him a start next week, please Ross. Hugh Boxshall (right) flies for the ball with Matt Rowell. Picture:6. SINCLAIR MOVE WAS SUPERCOACH 101 Every year we see it – a reliable A-grader who drops in price before turning his form around and becoming one of the buys of the season. In 2025 Jack Sinclair is exhibit A. After hitting $642k in round 5 following a blistering start to the year, his price fell all the way to $529,300 in round 9. Savvy coaches jumped on and he has since reeled off scores of 124, 131 and 143 in successive weeks. On Sunday he had 29 disposals (24 effective), eight intercepts and nine score involvements, including a late goal. After entering the round with a Break Even of 66, he's heading back to $600k with a bullet. 7. ROB GOES BIG It's never too late to challenge your career best. Adelaide big man Reilly O'Brien gave his PB SuperCoach score a real shake with an impressive 161 against West Coast. O'Brien got his hands to 45 hitouts and had 18 disposals in the Crows' 66-point win. What he did offensively was matched with what he did defensively, as he reduced Eagles' duo Bailey Williams and Matt Flynn to little impact. O'Brien had been averaging over 100 in his past three weeks and poured fuel on that figure against the Eagles. He's one of the more expensive ruck options but has been delivering strongly.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Gen Z memes on Grundy's mind ahead of Dees reunion
Two Gen Z memes lurk in Sydney ruck Brodie Grundy's mind: 'lock in' and 'hit the griddy'. The first came after a speech by club great Michael O'Loughlin before the Swans' eventual win over Carlton in their annual Marn Grook match. And the second comes as the 31-year-old prepares for a reunion with competition heavyweight Max Gawn and his former side Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday. Grundy was instrumental against the Blues, winning 47 hitouts to counterpart Marc Pittonet's 24. But it was his fourth-quarter goal that sparked the Swans, launching them ahead for the first time on the way to a 16-point win. "Michael O'Loughlin spoke to us before the game about the similarities between culture and footy," Grundy told AAP. "It was a really inspiring speech. "It was about stepping up when it's your moment and playing your role for the tribe and the team. "Sometimes the game will present a momentum swing, and it's being able to go, 'OK, this is an opportunity now - we need to lock in'." View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFL (@afl) Grundy sensed his moment to "lock in" when he received a pass from Caiden Cleary as he streamed down the right wing in the final term. As his shot sailed through the big sticks, the 202-centimetre tall ruckman bolted to the boundary line to celebrate with fans. "I just saw the goals and I just thought, let's finish," Grundy said. "I didn't celebrate (a goal against Essendon in the preceding round) hard enough - I was nonchalant, I was just cool, so I thought this moment required more. "I was so gassed after the game. The boys were saying, 'you probably ran harder in your celebration than you have all game'." Sunday's clash is Grundy's second reunion with the Demons, after his commanding performance in Sydney's opening-round win last year. Gawn, fresh from inspiring his side's upset win over reigning premiers Brisbane with a monster 46 hitouts, remains the ruck benchmark. "He's been the man for a long time and I love playing against the best," Grundy said. "I really respect every opposition that I go up against because if you don't, you really do get found out at AFL level. "My role each week, I just try and be really process driven. It's an 80-20, like 80 per cent about me and 20 per cent about my opposition." And if Grundy manages to get a goal against the Dees? He'll pull the same TikTok dance move that current Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri did after winning the Miami Grand Prix earlier in May. "I need to do the griddy," Grundy said. Hitting the griddy! 🕺A fine celebration by @OscarPiastri 😅#F1 #MiamiGP — Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025 Swans skipper Callum Mills will play his first game of the season following a foot injury, while star Demons defender Jake Lever is returning from ankle surgery. Sydney have also recalled key forward Hayden McLean, while midfielder Taylor Adams returns from a hamstring injury after a stint in the VFL.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hawks out to break Dees hoodoo in MCG battle
AFL coaches insist the competition is becoming less about who you play and more about when you play them. For Hawthorn, a clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday is a far different proposition than it would have been a month ago. The Demons endured a horror 0-5 start but have rattled off three straight wins to reignite their finals hopes. Captain Max Gawn has led from the front in vintage form, with Christian Petracca starring as the leader of an evolving midfield group. Jack Viney (concussion) is unavailable but Clayton Oliver returns for the Dees after a week off due to personal reasons. "They're strong, contested players and we know it's going to be a pretty physical contest when you go into battle against them," Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe told AAP. "They're a quality outfit with a lot of experienced guys in their side. "Gawny is absolutely flying at the moment and it will be another challenge that we're looking forward to." Few players in the competition are in hotter form than seven-time All-Australian ruckman Gawn, who produced another match-winning display in the Demons' thumping of West Coast last week. But Hawthorn's understated Lloyd Meek continues to grow in stature and is expected to take the fight to the Melbourne skipper. "He's been unreal and super reliable for us, both in the way he's playing and the way he leads," Newcombe said. "He's been amazing and he's a very humble lad, so I'm glad to see him doing well." Childhood Hawks fan Newcombe, who idolised goal-kickers Mark Williams and Jarryd Roughead, has enjoyed wins over every rival team except Melbourne since his debut in 2021. Hawthorn's recent poor record against the Demons started in a 2018 semi-final defeat, and includes eight losses and a draw over seven seasons. Melbourne were 55-point winners when the two sides last met, in round two last year, when the Hawks were in the midst of their own five-match losing streak. But Newcombe insists that history counts for little this week. "I haven't been here the whole time but I wouldn't say it's been the same thing each time," Newcombe said. "Teams evolve and things happen." Hawthorn had successive losses to Port Adelaide and Geelong last month but have bounced back with comfortable victories over lowly West Coast and Richmond. "They're confidence-building wins and you can take a lot out of them but I still wouldn't say we're absolutely flying," Newcombe said. "You've got to beat what's in front of you and we've been able to do that over the last two weeks. "We're happy if we can keep the momentum going." Karl Amon (concussion) returns for the Hawks in place of Tom Barrass (managed), while Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson have been recalled for Melbourne alongside Oliver. Jake Melksham (managed), Harrison Petty and Viney (both concussion) are out for the Demons. AFL coaches insist the competition is becoming less about who you play and more about when you play them. For Hawthorn, a clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday is a far different proposition than it would have been a month ago. The Demons endured a horror 0-5 start but have rattled off three straight wins to reignite their finals hopes. Captain Max Gawn has led from the front in vintage form, with Christian Petracca starring as the leader of an evolving midfield group. Jack Viney (concussion) is unavailable but Clayton Oliver returns for the Dees after a week off due to personal reasons. "They're strong, contested players and we know it's going to be a pretty physical contest when you go into battle against them," Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe told AAP. "They're a quality outfit with a lot of experienced guys in their side. "Gawny is absolutely flying at the moment and it will be another challenge that we're looking forward to." Few players in the competition are in hotter form than seven-time All-Australian ruckman Gawn, who produced another match-winning display in the Demons' thumping of West Coast last week. But Hawthorn's understated Lloyd Meek continues to grow in stature and is expected to take the fight to the Melbourne skipper. "He's been unreal and super reliable for us, both in the way he's playing and the way he leads," Newcombe said. "He's been amazing and he's a very humble lad, so I'm glad to see him doing well." Childhood Hawks fan Newcombe, who idolised goal-kickers Mark Williams and Jarryd Roughead, has enjoyed wins over every rival team except Melbourne since his debut in 2021. Hawthorn's recent poor record against the Demons started in a 2018 semi-final defeat, and includes eight losses and a draw over seven seasons. Melbourne were 55-point winners when the two sides last met, in round two last year, when the Hawks were in the midst of their own five-match losing streak. But Newcombe insists that history counts for little this week. "I haven't been here the whole time but I wouldn't say it's been the same thing each time," Newcombe said. "Teams evolve and things happen." Hawthorn had successive losses to Port Adelaide and Geelong last month but have bounced back with comfortable victories over lowly West Coast and Richmond. "They're confidence-building wins and you can take a lot out of them but I still wouldn't say we're absolutely flying," Newcombe said. "You've got to beat what's in front of you and we've been able to do that over the last two weeks. "We're happy if we can keep the momentum going." Karl Amon (concussion) returns for the Hawks in place of Tom Barrass (managed), while Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson have been recalled for Melbourne alongside Oliver. Jake Melksham (managed), Harrison Petty and Viney (both concussion) are out for the Demons. AFL coaches insist the competition is becoming less about who you play and more about when you play them. For Hawthorn, a clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday is a far different proposition than it would have been a month ago. The Demons endured a horror 0-5 start but have rattled off three straight wins to reignite their finals hopes. Captain Max Gawn has led from the front in vintage form, with Christian Petracca starring as the leader of an evolving midfield group. Jack Viney (concussion) is unavailable but Clayton Oliver returns for the Dees after a week off due to personal reasons. "They're strong, contested players and we know it's going to be a pretty physical contest when you go into battle against them," Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe told AAP. "They're a quality outfit with a lot of experienced guys in their side. "Gawny is absolutely flying at the moment and it will be another challenge that we're looking forward to." Few players in the competition are in hotter form than seven-time All-Australian ruckman Gawn, who produced another match-winning display in the Demons' thumping of West Coast last week. But Hawthorn's understated Lloyd Meek continues to grow in stature and is expected to take the fight to the Melbourne skipper. "He's been unreal and super reliable for us, both in the way he's playing and the way he leads," Newcombe said. "He's been amazing and he's a very humble lad, so I'm glad to see him doing well." Childhood Hawks fan Newcombe, who idolised goal-kickers Mark Williams and Jarryd Roughead, has enjoyed wins over every rival team except Melbourne since his debut in 2021. Hawthorn's recent poor record against the Demons started in a 2018 semi-final defeat, and includes eight losses and a draw over seven seasons. Melbourne were 55-point winners when the two sides last met, in round two last year, when the Hawks were in the midst of their own five-match losing streak. But Newcombe insists that history counts for little this week. "I haven't been here the whole time but I wouldn't say it's been the same thing each time," Newcombe said. "Teams evolve and things happen." Hawthorn had successive losses to Port Adelaide and Geelong last month but have bounced back with comfortable victories over lowly West Coast and Richmond. "They're confidence-building wins and you can take a lot out of them but I still wouldn't say we're absolutely flying," Newcombe said. "You've got to beat what's in front of you and we've been able to do that over the last two weeks. "We're happy if we can keep the momentum going." Karl Amon (concussion) returns for the Hawks in place of Tom Barrass (managed), while Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson have been recalled for Melbourne alongside Oliver. Jake Melksham (managed), Harrison Petty and Viney (both concussion) are out for the Demons.
