Melbourne captain Max Gawn threw a “out of character” spray on the Collingwood bench during Monday’s shock loss.
Melbourne Demons captain Max Gawn has thrown an “out of character” spray on the Collingwood bench during Monday’s 26-point loss to the Magpies at the MCG.
Later in the second quarter of the Queen’s Birthday contest, Gawn hit a knee in the back of Collingwood high forward Mason Cox while vying for a mark.
Watch all the AFL matches this weekend live and in free ad play in Kayo. Are we in Kayo? Try 14 days free now>
The 30-year-old left the field cautiously shortly afterwards, but addressed a few heated words to a group of players close to the Magpies.
“I don’t know if maybe someone hooked him up and nailed his lips while he was leaving,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.
Gawn was talking to young Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan, whom he had previously faced.
“I think it was weird for Max to come out like that,” continued four-time first-team player Jordan Lewis.
“Someone should have said something while he was out and he thought he had to say something to end the conversation.”
Gawn received treatment in the half before returning for the first rebound in the third quarter, but the five-time All-Australian withdrew to the wards with medical staff for an additional assessment about 13 minutes later.
The current prime ministers reached their annual confrontation with Collingwood after suffering consecutive defeats, with one controversy after another engulfing the club.
But what worries the Demons coach Simon Goodwin most is his offside team, which lost a third straight game after winning the previous 17, a streak that looks like a mile in the rearview mirror.
The Magpies deservedly took the lead forever when Brody Mihocek fired his third goal of the afternoon from nearly 50 yards out and went away to win by 26 points.
They missed out on a number of chances early in the game and should probably have led earlier, with only a few inspired plays from Melbourne off center in the second season delayed it.
Collingwood has now defeated Fremantle, Carlton, Hawthorn and the Demons in a four-game period that defines the season to get back on track in the top eight.
Demon Clayton Oliver amassed 43 steals in his last midfield master class, and Angus Brayshaw held high on defense to swallow 13 interception possessions to frustrate the Pies repeatedly.
Both parties will enjoy a farewell next weekend.
– with Marc McGowan, NCA NewsWire
Read related topics: Melbourne