St Kilda great Leigh Montagna has declared Max Gawn is “certain” to rebound against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday after a tough start to his 2024 campaign, citing “a bit of mail” about his condition last week.
The Melbourne skipper was worn down by Sydney in last Thursday’s season-opener, competing against ex-teammate and now-Swan Brodie Grundy.
The Demons ruckman conceded he found it “incredibly tough” receiving attention around the ground from the Swans.
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Gawn notched 14 disposals, nine contested possessions and four tackles against Sydney, as well as topping Grundy 37-33 in hit-outs.
However, he managed just one mark for the evening and his centre-bounce influence was quelled.
Things won’t get any easier for the 32-year-old in Round 1, as he prepares to combat All-Australian Bulldog Tim English this weekend.
However, despite Gawn’s slow start, Montagna has the utmost faith in Melbourne’s veteran tapster.
“My absolute — I’m going with something that’s certain to happen — and that’s Max Gawn bouncing back on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs,” he declared during the debut episode of Fox Footy’s Give Me Something.
“I haven’t seen Max Gawn get beaten like that (last week) for, I don’t know, a long, long time.”
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Montagna said he had some information that might explain Gawn’s lethargy against Sydney.
“There’s a little bit of mail that he might have been a bit crook, he might’ve been unwell going into that game (vs. Sydney),” he said.
“So, I expect him just to flex his muscles and show that he is still the best ruckman in the competition. Going up against Tim English, who might be the next big thing on the scene, I reckon ‘Maxy’ will take him to the cleaners.
“I think the Demons get the win that they have to get, and he’ll lead the way.”
Asked Fox Footy’s David King: “How crook’s ‘crook’? Are we talking ill or an injury?”
“Illness,” responded Montagna. “He did look it, didn’t he? He looked flat. I haven’t been able to get that one confirmed — just a little whisper.”
Gawn has played in 14 matches against the Bulldogs throughout his career, averaging 15 disposals per game and registering 477 total hit-outs — his second-highest tally against any opposition.
Demons-Bulldogs is scheduled for 1:00pm AEDT on Sunday, exclusive to Fox Footy via Foxtel or Kayo.
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