Who’s the Target? James Hird Probes Demons Star on Ambiguous Post-Match Remarks

James Hird has raised concerns over the vague remarks made by Melbourne’s Max Gawn following the team’s recent loss, advocating for an “honesty session” within the club.

Gawn was openly critical of his teammates, particularly his co-leaders, over the weekend after the Demons suffered a heavy defeat, losing 120-62 to the Gold Coast Suns.

“[We] probably had a few leaders looking for free kicks at different points. You are what your leaders are. If you’re doing that, it can be a slippery slope,” he told The Age.

Gawn’s candidness did not go unnoticed in AFL discussions, as the Demons now find themselves languishing near the bottom of the ladder following three consecutive defeats.

During his appearance on Nine’s Footy Furnace, premiership hero Hird acknowledged the critical nature of the issues within the Demons, emphasising the need for a prompt resolution in light of Gawn’s comments.

“Who is he talking about? Their leaders are quite evident,” Hird pointed out.

“Is he talking about [Christian] Petracca, is it [Steven] May he means?

“It feels like they need a campfire chat. Perhaps heading out into the countryside to sit together and have a real talk is what Melbourne requires at this moment.”

Geelong great Jimmy Bartel echoed his co-host’s thoughts, urging the leadership group to come together.

“We keep highlighting this because we need our experienced players to lead the way,” he remarked.

“If there’s frustration, the best approach is to confront it and figure out a path forward.” 

The challenge won’t ease for Melbourne in Round Four, as they face a tough away game against Geelong next.