Melbourne colossus Max Gawn has underlined his status as the greatest ruckman of the modern era, awarded an unprecedented ninth All-Australian blazer after another brilliant individual season. Gawn was named captain of the representative side, which also featured Demons teammate Kysaiah Pickett among a record five Indigenous players chosen.
Record-breaking selection
Gawn's record-breaking ninth selection comes after the 34-year-old champion defied changes to ruck rules to maintain his status as the competition's dominant ruckman. His latest inclusion pushed him clear of fellow greats Gary Ablett Snr, Gary Ablett Jnr, Patrick Dangerfield, Lance Franklin, Robert Harvey, and Mark Ricciuto, who all have eight blazers. That group was joined by Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
The humble Gawn said he was “incredibly lucky” to have the late Jim Stynes as a mentor, declaring lessons from his fellow Melbourne ruck great crucial in his rise to greatness. “It's all about being the best version of yourself,” Gawn said on stage at Melbourne's Centrepiece on Tuesday night. “It's hard enough playing footy out there at the MCG trying to not be someone that you are. So to have that in the back of my mind every time I get on the ground allows me to be me.”
Teammates and coaches pay tribute
Melbourne coach Steven King hailed Gawn as an “icon of our game” and the ruck star's teammates lauded his remarkable contribution the club. “I listened to Kingy last week – I don't know if this footy club would be where we are right now if it wasn't for Max,” Demons forward Bayley Fritsch told AAP. “Everything we've been through, he stood tall. He spoke to you guys in the media when the times have been the toughest at this club.”
“He was here when we were beaten by Geelong by 200 points or whatever it was down the road [in 2011] and then he's obviously won the flag [in 2021]. He's 34, and when we need him, he's at his best. It's all about being the best version of yourself.” Melbourne midfielder and former St Kilda captain Jack Steele added: “It's a nightmare to play against him and it's unreal to rove to him. He's clearly the best ruckman of all-time for a reason and certainly deserves a ninth jacket.”
Fremantle lead selections
Minor premiers Fremantle led the league with five selections, headlined by key forward Josh Treacy, one of nine players named for the first time. Treacy was selected with fellow first-timers Luke Jackson and Murphy Reid as Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark rounded out the league-leading Dockers' cohort of five. Reigning premiers Brisbane were the only other club with more than two players selected – Harris Andrews, Zac Bailey and young key forward Logan Morris.
Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson was named vice-captain after producing an outstanding individual season in difficult circumstances, following the death of elder brother Jaryd in April. Dawson was picked alongside Gawn, Bontempelli and Brownlow medal favourite Nick Daicos in the midfield. Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow was the only player selected from embattled Sydney. The Swans suspended five players who were also then ruled ineligible for All-Australian selection, including star trio Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey. Ten players retained their All-Australian spots from last year, including St Kilda playmaker Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Geelong star Bailey Smith.
