Melbourne skipper Max Gawn has responded to criticism that the Demons’ record this year has been inflated by big wins over struggling teams.
MAX GAWN RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OF MELBOURNE’S RECORD:
“I mean you can only play who you go to play,” Gawn said on the Marty Sheargold Show, in response to criticism from David King that was relayed to him.
“I agree we’re not playing our best footy — the Essendon game we deserved our right whack, we were nowhere near it.”
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Gawn also said other good teams have had poor games, and that the Dees haven’t been that far away in some of the games they did lose.
“But every team’s had one of those games, Collingwood lost to Brisbane by a fair margin, as did we,” he said.
“And then Port Adelaide, if Bayley Fritsch… kicks it straight in the last minutes we probably win that game.
“And what’s he potting, the Gold Coast win in Gold Coast? Gold Coast in Gold Coast is one of the toughest trips.
“Geelong lost to them up in Goldy this year.
“I’m not sure if David’s on the money there, but they’ve gotta talk about something… when Melbourne lose to Port by four points on the Friday night, we’re the topical game, so why not have a crack?”
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King criticised Melbourne on AFL 360, suggesting that their wins hadn’t been impressive due to the opposition they’d played.
He referred to North Melbourne, West Coast and Hawthorn as “division two” teams — sides that the Dees have beaten by 90, 63 and 54 points respectively.
“They’ve played all three of the division two teams… what’s real? What do you believe when you’re watching Melbourne?” King asked.
“They’re 4-3 if you just played division one teams.”
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Gawn was bemused by the division two comment in particular.
“There you go, there’s two divisions is there?” he said.
“When did they break out into that?”
Gawn also discussed coming up against former teammate Luke Jackson for the first time since he left Melbourne, Damien Hardwick stepping down as Richmond coach, and a preview of round 11.