Gawn in "another stratosphere" after exposing TDK

As far as individual performances go, you'd be hard pushed to find too many that gave more than Max Gawn this weekend in Melbourne's 120-107 win over St Kilda at the MCG.

Proving that age is but a number, the veteran ruckman registered 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five inside fifties, eight score involvements and a goal.

Such was his performance for the Demons, David King hailed the the 34-year-old as "truly one of a kind".

It's been a torrid few years for Melbourne; Gawn has remained at the helm and led with conviction.

His future was questioned when Simon Goodwin was sacked in 2025. Some doubted he could make the switch from such a close coaching relationship to a new structure under Steven King, but he has transitioned with ease.

He even voiced his concerns about the relevance of the ruck position after the AFL introduced new regulations for the2026 seasons.

Based on his Round 1 performance, he need not worry.

"We are too quick to write off the ageing stars," King said on SEN's Fireball. "Max Gawn is one of a kind.

"I hear all the guys that have watched footy for 40-50 years and they all talk about Simon Madden, what he was able to do as a ruckman. I cant recall how good he was.

"If Max Gawn is not challenging that, I couldn’t believe Simon could be in another stratosphere to Max. He was unbelievable at the weekend. What he was able to do for a club that is resetting, rebuilding to turn the page on May and the Olivers...

"This guy will be one of the greatest cultural influences on this group that you could ask for and Steven King will be thanking his lucky stars today for this Max."

King said while he was trying to deliver varied commentary on the Demons v Saints showdown, he could not take his eyes of Gawn and his battle with multi-million dollar opponent Tom De Koning.

"I was fascinated by when he (Gawn) was going to need a break," King continued. "Sometimes things can consume you in games, I couldn't stop talking about these ruckmen in commentary. I was fixated with both of them having their influence.

"De Koning’s start was brilliant. He had his way early then Max said no, and we got angry Max. He got angry in that second term and he lifted. He had a four-minute spell in the next 78 minutes of footy, I font know another ruckman in footy that has been able to do that.

"Name me a ruckman that has a four minute break in two and a half quarters of footy.

"TDK was physically gone, he had to get on the bench, Max knew he had broken him physically and mentally. It was such a sign. When you talk about leadership and great captains, you have to have the guy that will lead like Max.

"The difference between what Max can do for Melbourne and what (Andrew) McGrath can do for Essendon are north and south pole. One doesn't want to defend, doesn't want to engage in the fight and the other wants the fight."

The Demon's 13-point victory over St Kilda sets them up well for a forthcoming trip to Fremantle before they play Carlton.