Melbourne Demons captain struggles with personal challenges

Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin discussed his captain Max Gawn's poor performance in a recent match against North Melbourne. Gawn struggled during the game and lost to opponent Tristan Xerri. This was a noticeable change as Xerri is seen as the new top ruck player in the AFL. Goodwin hinted that there were personal reasons behind Gawn's performance. He emphasized the importance of supporting players during tough times. “Max is a great leader and person,” Goodwin said. He acknowledged that Gawn had been bested but added there are often deeper issues affecting performance. When asked for more details, Goodwin chose not to elaborate but reaffirmed the importance of understanding players' personal lives. He expressed confidence in Gawn and said he would continue to be a key leader for the team. Following two losses, the Demons are looking to bounce back when they host Gold Coast next Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.