Max Gawn’s knee damage means prepared or not, Brodie Grundy is about to take a giant step ahead in his AFL comeback.
Gawn might be out of motion for at the very least a month after hurting his knee final Friday night time towards Brisbane – an damage the Demons initially feared might need been a season-ending ACL rupture.
While the harm turned out to be a lot severe, it meant Grundy instantly grew to become the Demons’ most important ruckman till their captain returns.
Grundy missed 16 video games final season due to his personal knee damage after which joined Melbourne from Collingwood to workforce up with Gawn as a formidable ruck mixture.
Gawn is assured that after what he has seen of Grundy by their two pre-season hit-outs and the opening two matches of the season, his new teammate is able to step again into the breach because the No.1 ruckman.
“I have no issues with him running out games, with how he’s going to perform,” Gawn stated.
“He’s a two-time All-Australian who missed 12 months of footy and he’s played four games in a row now, so I think he’s ready to peak.”
The Demons will want Grundy firing this Sunday on the MCG once they tackle Sydney.
The Swans beat Melbourne in final yr’s qualifying closing, the week earlier than Brisbane ended the Demons’ premiership defence with an excellent semi-final win.
Melbourne had been made to revisit Brisbane’s midfield domination final Friday night time and Gawn stated Sydney might be one other fierce take a look at.
“They mauled us at stoppage. To be fair, they did that in the second half of the (semi) final as well,” Gawn stated of the Lions.
Sunday can even be a giant day for the Demons as they elevate funds and consciousness for the Reach Foundation.
The psychological well being charity was co-founded by membership nice, the late Jim Stynes, who additionally mentored Gawn when he joined the Demons.
“I had him work with me and it’s made me the person I am today,” Gawn stated.
“What could have happened … if I didn’t have a mentor like him, I could be absolutely anywhere in this world.
“It’s superb what he is accomplished for the membership, however for me personally, he was my facilitator.
“From the whole club’s point of view, he is the Melbourne Football Club.”
In half on account of Stynes’ affect, Gawn is a giant proponent of psychological well being coaching – one thing he says helped him final Friday night time when he thought he might need suffered a 3rd ACL damage.
Gawn was emotional within the changreooms as he handled the chance that at 31, his season may be over.
“Certainly some of stuff I’ve learned over my time had made me be able to be strong in that space,” he stated
“But the vulnerability of the cry – I still had a little tear in the changeroom.
“It solely lasted a few seconds … however actually some instruments I’ve discovered all through my time have saved me in area.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
