Star Demons ruck cleared of major damage after knee mishap at summer training camp

Melbourne are breathing a sigh of relief after scans confirmed Max Gawn had avoided major damage on his knee.

The star ruckman left a training session at the club’s pre-season Queensland camp in pain on Friday, heading to changerooms with medical staff after the incident.

After being rushed for scans, the Demons confirmed on Friday night, Gawn had suffered a moderate strain of his left medial ligament.

Watch every match of the Marsh Community Series AFL pre-season comp LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“Max got a knock to the knee during a match simulation drill earlier today, and scans have since revealed a Grade 2 medial ligament strain,” Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said in a statement.

“Whilst exact timelines are yet to determined, at this stage, we anticipate he will be available for the start of the season.”

Gawn has had two knee reconstructions — one before he arrived at the Demons in 2009 and another in 2012 — but turned himself into one of the game’s most dominant ruckmen.

He was poised to be handed the captaincy after Nathan Jones stepped down at the conclusion of last season.

Gawn’s absence would have been a major blow to the club as they aim to climb up the ladder after a horror 2019 season which saw the Demons drop from preliminary finalists to 17th.

The 28-year-old has played 120 games for the club and has won back-to-back best and fairests.

Gawn’s absence would have left former Roo Braydon Preuss to shoulder the load in the ruck department.

The club drafted young ruckman Luke Jackson with their first selection in the 2019 national draft, plucking the tall with the third pick of the draft.