By Justin Chadwick
When West Coast coach Adam Simpson analyses Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn, all he sees is trouble.
Gawn looms as the most imposing and daunting figure for West Coast in Sunday’s AFL clash at Optus Stadium.
Bailey J. Williams, pictured during the round nine match last weekend, will struggle to break even against Gawn.Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
With Matt Flynn still in the final stages of recovering from hamstring surgery, undersized West Coast ruckman Bailey Williams will again be asked to battle out of his weight division.
Williams has fought valiantly this season against bigger and stronger opponents, but most neutral observers will acknowledge the 201-centimetre ruck/forward will struggle to break even against Gawn.
The 209-centimetre Gawn is averaging a career-high 19 disposals and 5.1 clearances per game this season, as well as 36.3 hitouts per match.
“Bailey’s been fighting above his weight division since he’s been in the ruck,” Simpson said.
“Flynn will come back in the next couple of weeks … but at the moment Bailey is just going to have to do his best and compete as hard as he can and try to make it a neutral contest.
“But Max is probably the best ruck in the league at the moment. So we’re not delusional, there’s going to be some issues there.”
So is there a tactical ace Simpson can pull out of his pocket to limit the influence of Gawn?
“Every week it’s a little game of chess, the ruck battle,” Simpson said.
“There are things you do that can change the way the hitouts are done.
“But Max has probably experienced [people attempting] everything to try to stop him. So he’s got his plan B, C, and D. That’s why he’s hard to stop.”
Another headache facing Simpson is limiting the influence of Melbourne’s star-studded midfield.
Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney can all rack up big numbers at the feet of Gawn.
And Petracca can be a weapon in attack as well, as evidenced by his five goals in last week’s one-point loss to Carlton.
Simpson says Melbourne’s midfield is predictable – and he means it as a compliment.
“When I say predictable, it’s not a disrespectful term, it’s they’re predictably good in what they do with their craft and their contest,” Simpson said.
“The four guys they have through the middle are all A-plus players.
“But it’s not just their midfield. I mean, they’re a premiership contender.”
Furthermore, West Coast will again be without star midfielder Elliot Yeo, their best clearance player.
The Eagles (2-7) have been bolstered by the return of in-form spearhead Jake Waterman, while defender Jeremy McGovern was cleared to play despite last week’s heavy fall.
Melbourne (6-3) welcome back Christian Salem from a hamstring injury, and forward Ben Brown has earned a recall.
Former Crows forward Shane McAdam has been named for his Dees debut.
