Perth’s Optus Stadium was Max Gawn’s stage on April 16, and the Melbourne captain didn’t waste a second of it. In a career-defining performance, the hulking ruckman dragged his Demons to a 32-point victory over the West Coast Eagles, finishing with a jaw-dropping 16.12 (108) to 11.10 (76). It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement, with Gawn’s career-high 35 disposals anchoring a third-quarter surge that left the Eagles reeling.
Melbourne looked shaky early, trailing by six points at halftime after a scrappy first half. West Coast, desperate to snap their 0-7 start, came out swinging, with Jake Waterman and Luke Hewett each slotting three goals. But Gawn, all 208 centimeters of him, flipped the script in the third. He was everywhere—racking up 27 disposals by the end of the quarter, bullying the Eagles’ mids at stoppages, and even kicking a goal. The Demons piled on seven goals in that term alone, turning a dogfight into a rout.
Young guns stepped up too. Harvey Langford, barely old enough to drink, tore through with 25 disposals and five clearances. Caleb Windsor chipped in with 20 touches and five inside-50s, his speed slicing West Coast’s defense apart. Daniel Turner, thrust into the spotlight after Harrison Petty’s concussion forced him off at halftime, banged through three goals. Jake Melksham, no stranger to big moments, added another.
West Coast had their chances but crumbled under Gawn’s dominance. Their midfield, already missing spark, got exposed as Melbourne’s stoppage work went into overdrive. The Eagles’ injury list didn’t help—Jeremy McGovern copped a concussion, subbed out at halftime, while Mitch Ginbey nursed a busted nose and Alex Reid hobbled off with a leg issue. By the final siren, West Coast’s record slumped to 0-8, their worst season start ever.
Melbourne’s 16 goals marked their highest score of the year, a bright spot after losing Petty early. They now head back to the MCG for a showdown with Hawthorn, carrying a three-game win streak and a swagger that’s starting to turn heads. For the Eagles, it’s back to the drawing board, with Gawn’s masterclass a harsh reminder of what they’re missing in the middle.