"Seismic move": Could Max Gawn be heading to Tassie?

Melbourne superstar Max Gawn is out of contract at the end of 2027 and is at peace with the fact he may get the tap on the shoulder in 12 months’ time.

Widely regarded as the greatest ruckman to have ever played the game, Gawn is one of the only veterans remaimning from the 2021 premiership side after Jack Viney was traded to West Coast earlier this month.

While not denying he is keen to finish his career at Melbourne, Gawn is realistic about how recruitment in the game operates.

Asked about his future this week he said: “I’ve just applauded Lamby (Tim Lamb) and Kingy (Steven King) and if I’m the one that has to move on next year and I still think there’s footy ahead of me, then that conversation will come.

"I'm getting old. I'm pretty keen at Melbourne.

"I understand 'Vines' would have said the same thing 12 months ago."

Now it’s been touted he could be on the target list for Tasmania ahead of them entering the league in 2028.

“I’ve heard him speak about the fact he has been at Melbourne for such a long time and he needs to get out and experience other stuff, so it’s all little clues,” Cornes said on Gawn.

“Would it be the biggest shock of all players to join Tassie? It would be a seismic shock. But having said that, it was also a seismic shock when Sam Mitchell went to West Coast, it’s reasonably big that Scott Pendlebury is playing at Gold Coast for the next two years.

“Gawn will be 35 in December. How long can he play for?

“That depends how well they look after him. They have run him into the ground; he thrives on that but he has had no help. They tried to get him held with Grundy but it didn’t work. I’m not sure who shoulders the blame for that one.

“How long can he continue to do this? He would be perfect for two years at Tassie, transition him to a coaching role if that’s what he wants to do and get paid really well. But I think Melbourne fans would be mortified thinking about the fact Max Gawn could leave.”