Melbourne star Max Gawn names the best ruckman he has faced

Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn says Carlton compatriot Matthew Kreuzer is the best ruckman he has faced.

The competition is currently blessed with a slew of high-class ruckmen, but Gawn has pinpointed the Blues' big man as the most superior he has come across and explained the reasons why.

“I talk up ruckmen a lot and people are curious as to why I do it,” Gawn told SEN Breakfast.

“I do rate a lot of people: Scott Lycett is one of the ones I do rate, Nic Naitanui and I actually haven’t played each other since 2014.

“Matthew Kreuzer is probably the one that I rate the highest.

“His work rate, he keeps you very honest and he’s added this part to his game where he can mark and kick goals, which as a ruckman, seems to be one that you’re most scared of when they go and impact the scoreboard.”

Kreuzer, who was taken at pick one in the 2007 draft, has played 173 games and booted 89 goals in an injury interrupted 11-year career.

The 29-year-old was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season with a persistent heart issue.

Gawn currently sits in third on the AFLCA leaderboard with 80 votes, behind Carlton’s Patrick Cripps and Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell.

Listen to Max Gawn’s chat on SEN Breakfast with Garry and Tim in the player below