Melbourne Demons captain Max Gawn has opened up on an explosive blow-up with his fellow Demons defender and teammate Steven May. This public confrontation came on the heels of the team’s most recent loss against Collingwood. The attack occurred immediately after the final whistle had sounded. It was sparked in part by an incredible play Gawn made in the final seconds of the game.
With only 30 seconds remaining on the clock, Gawn picked up the ball deep in his defensive 50. Then he lobbied to get it returned on the roll back through the corridor. Gawn and his teammates looked on in anguish as his kick was marked by Collingwood’s Will Hoskin-Elliott. That costly miscue virtually clinched the win for their rivals. Gawn conceded that this call had his teammates — and May in particular — rightfully furious.
“Unfortunately, I put the ball in Hoskin-Elliott’s lap, and I’m pretty sure all 17 of my teammates were pretty angry with that decision.”
Immediately after the final siren, May deliberately including Gawn’s personal space. This fiery confrontation was even captured on an officiating goal post camera. Gawn painted that contact as happening in “the heat of the moment.” He owned up to feeling that way, explaining, “I knew that my reaction was wrong. But now I had a teammate truly caring; a different version of caring than what I had learned over my almost 20 year history with Steven May.
The two players have since communicated, texting each other to ease any bad blood left over from the altercation. Gawn wanted to stress that he and May are both competitors who wanted to win the match at all costs.
“We’re just both competitors and we both wanted to win the game,” he stated.
Gawn said he was sympathetic to May’s frustrations, when they clashed on the field. And I’m afraid I can’t in good conscience commit to telling you what he therefore said. And there’s the heart of it right there. “I think it represents both of us, because we were both really frustrated by those last 30 seconds.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expressed his opinion on the matter, emphasizing that Gawn and May effectively resolved their dispute. He described them as “two competitors, frustrated – two leaders who have an incredibly strong relationship, obviously disappointed with the outcome.”
Gawn, for his part, expressed regret over the incident and recognized that he could have handled the situation better. Given a second chance, that’s what he would do differently. “If he had his time again, he might not do it on the final siren with a camera there,” he said.
With tensions thawing, the negotiating team prepares to look ahead. Though perhaps uncomfortable, Gawn’s willingness to speak frankly about the issue speaks to his commitment to fostering a positive environment for his teammates. With this loss still fresh in their minds, the Demons are definitely looking to get revenge. They are just as focused on preparing for their next challenge off the field.
