Max Gawn has paid tribute to late Melbourne legend and former president Jim Stynes in the wake of the Demons’ thumping win over Richmond.
Stynes played 264 games for Melbourne in a decorated career that included a Brownlow, two All-Australians and inclusion in the Demons’ team of the century, before going on to lead the club as its chair.
Stynes died of cancer at just 45 in 2012, but had been a mentor of Gawn’s before his passing, particularly given the pair both played in the ruck.
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On Sunday, Gawn drew level with his hero on 264 games.
“I’m not a massive milestone guy, but this one in particular (means a lot), just because of the name Jim I think,” he told Channel 7 after the Demons’ 46-point win.
“What he means to me, he basically gave me my chance in football. The recruiters got me, (former coach) Dean Bailey gave me my jumper, but Jim pointed me out and told me to be myself.
“And that’s the person I hope I’m still being today and I’m hoping everyone at home can see that I’m just out here (like a) 10-year-old boy with a big smile on my face loving playing on the MCG, and that’s what Jim told me to do.”
Jacob van Rooyen continued his sparkling form with an equal career-high six goals as the Demons extended their perfect MCG record this year to 9-0, after being given some trouble by Richmond in the first term before coasting to a 16.15 (111) to 9.11 (65) win in front of 32,893 fans.
The result consolidates Melbourne’s position in the top six, with the Demons virtually guaranteed to feature in at least the wildcard round in Steven King’s first season as coach.
After a starring five-goal effort in Melbourne’s surprise demolition of Hawthorn last week, van Rooyen took that confidence into a date with the rebuilding Tigers.
He became the first Demons player to have back-to-back five-goal hauls since now-GWS forward Jesse Hogan in 2018.
Kicking just two goals in a lean four-week patch, van Rooyen has notched 14 in his past three appearances.
The 23-year-old’s efforts took him to 35 goals this season — his best return in a single campaign since debuting in 2023.
Skipper Gawn put in a typically masterful shift in the ruck, and pushed forward to slot two goals.
His opposing captain and ruckman Toby Nankervis also kicked two goals for Richmond, but Gawn easily won the battle around the ground and in the middle.
Superstar Kysaiah Pickett was serviceable without being game-changing, but still provided arguably the game’s highlight — a mark of the year contender after standing on top of Nankervis in the second quarter.
Veteran Jake Melksham played an important role up forward with two goals after being a late inclusion for Harrison Petty (hamstring).
Richmond, who slumped to 2-15 and 10-54 in the Adem Yze era, had a few reasons to celebrate, including when their eighth debutant of the season, Zane Peucker, slotted a goal with his first kick in the AFL and was mobbed by teammates.
Before the match, both teams paid tribute to community footballer Nathan Fitzgerald, who tragically died following on an on-field incident earlier in July.
Fitzgerald, who played for the Epping Football Netball Club, was a diehard Richmond supporter and his brother Matt tossed the coin before the match.
With AAP
