Max Gawn is lauded as a premiership captain, a famous person ruckman and one of many AFL’s hottest characters, however he is on a mission to vary perceptions in 2023 – particularly relating to his work contained in the ahead 50.
“I want to be seen as someone that is a tall forward down there, rather than a ruckman resting forward,” the Melbourne captain instructed AAP.
“To be able to get that perception … (I’ll be) making sure that Ben Brown, Tom McDonald and Bailey Fritsch don’t have to do extra because I’m down there.”
As younger star Luke Jackson took a higher share of Melbourne’s ruck load in recent times, Gawn drifted ahead extra usually, kicking a complete of 33 objectives up to now two seasons in comparison with eight objectives throughout the earlier two.
With Jackson now at Fremantle, and former Collingwood star Brodie Grundy tipped to take much more of Gawn’s ruck time, the Demons skipper is decided to extend his impression as a ahead menace.
At 209cm, Gawn will probably be a nightmare within the air for key defenders, however he desires to offer greater than only a sturdy marking presence.
“I want to make sure I’m running the right patterns, I’m resetting when (the other forwards are) resetting, I’m involved in bringing the ball to ground and I’m also involved in following up.”
Finishing off his work in entrance of purpose can also be a serious focus, with the six-time All-Australian admitting new goalkicking coach Mark Williams has inspired a brand new method.
“I call it a respectful conversation between two people,” Gawn joked.
“I’ve got my way of kicking and he’s got his way, and I think they’re polar opposites, so we’re trying to find some common ground in the middle and that’ll be a great recipe.”
In a way, the prospect of spending extra time within the purpose sq. than the centre sq. has been a very long time coming.
“When I got drafted, I thought I was a forward/ruck. But I ended up just being a ruckman for 14 years.
“Kurt Tippett was somebody that I seemed as much as – the best way he marked the ball and adopted up.”
As far as current forwards go, Gawn is drawing inspiration from Bulldog Rory Lobb (206cm) and Richmond’s Tom Lynch (199cm).
The early results for 2023 have been promising, with Gawn and Grundy kicking three goals each in the first half of their practice match against Richmond.
“Are we going to kick three each week? I hope so.”
Reluctant to put a number on a targeted goal tally for the season ahead, Gawn is hopeful spending more time forward will prolong his career.
Asked how many more seasons he has in him, the 31-year-old joked, “Technically, I’ve obtained three. But with Grundy … eight?”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
