Inevitable Gawn exit will “leave biggest hole” of all AFL clubs

Which player right now, of all 18 AFL clubs, would leave the biggest hole if they were to retire?

Tim Watson and Tom Morris have declared that player to be Melbourne captain Max Gawn.

Now in the middle of his 16th season, Gawn remains in top form, averaging 21.4 disposals, 31.9 hitouts and 6.4 clearances in 2026.

He has held the mantle as the league's top ruckman for a while now and as the heart and soul of the Demons, the 34-year old's inevitable retirement in the next few years is set to rock his club.

Watson and Morris discussed his status and unmatched talent, contemplating how Melbourne will cope in the wake of his eventual departure.

“Max Gawn will be a nine-time All-Australian by the end of this year, which is just an extraordinary performance," Watson said on SEN Breakfast.

“He is playing football at the level that he has played over the last five or ten years. There is no discernible drop-off to me and watching him play.

“But at some stage, he will no longer be part of Melbourne’s team.

“When Max goes, is he going to leave a hole greater than any other current player when they retire in modern football?

“Is there anybody that comes close to the influence, effect, leadership, playing quality as Max Gawn?

“I know that there's a lot of great players around … but in terms of the totality of the package that Max Gawn provides – is there anybody that is going to leave a hole bigger than Max Gawn when he's gone?"

Morris agreed, saying the specificity of Gawn's ruck role makes him stand out even further.

“He leaves the biggest hole," Morris said.

“By virtue of all those things, and the fact that the role he plays is the most specific role to play.

“Marcus Bontempelli - when he retires, will leave a huge hole – but he's a midfielder, and there's lots of very good midfielders around.

“But there's very few superstar rucks around - he is the best ruck of the 21st century.

“I think he's better than Dean Cox now, and his record suggests that too.

“Melbourne will be aware of that, and how they prepare for life without Max Gawn will become a discussion in the next couple of years."

Watson continued: “They don’t have anyone to trade up and become the substitute, they don’t have anyone on their list right now that I can see. They don’t have anybody that can replace max Gawn in any meaningful way in the short term."

Morris added: “Luke Jackson would have been perfect - but he went to Fremantle!"

Premiership skipper Gawn is currently contracted with the Dees until the end of 2027, guaranteeing that he will retire as a one-club player, and is set to remain captain into the foreseeable future.

He has played 264 games for the Demons, equal with fellow star ruck and No.11 Jim Stynes. Their tally sits equal fifth all-time at the club.