From a smoker with no semblance of punctuality to AFL vice-captain is the journey taken by Melbourne’s Max Gawn.
The 26-year-old was yesterday named as co vice-captain of Melbourne alongside Jordan Lewis while Nathan Jones and Jack Viney retain co-captaincy duties for a second season.
Gawn could only chuckle when asked his feelings about the honour.
“I started from a long way back and came in as unprofessional as a footballer could get,” he told SEN’s Time On.
“It took about four or five years to play consistent football in the VFL, let alone AFL.
“I’d come from a different upbringing and punctuality wasn’t a strong point. I didn’t know consistency and I didn’t know that every little thing matters. They are clichés but every footballer by the time they’ve been on a list four or five years has their head around it.
“If I wasn’t 208cm I wouldn’t have been given five years to prove my worth.
“I can thank my parents for that.”
The 2016 All Australian ruckman said his leadership style centred around relationships given the serious disposition of both Jones and Viney.
After missing 10 matches last year with a serious hamstring tear the likeable Demon is fit and primed to attack the JLT Series.
The Demons tackles North Melbourne in the opening match on Saturday at Tasmania’s Kingston Twin Ovals, before rounding out the pre-season against St Kilda on Wednesday, March 8.
Gawn has played 74 games in eight years since being drafted 34th overall in 2009.