Insisting the wheels had not fallen off their premiership defence,Gawn admitted May’s “hurtful” remarks had crossed the line of acceptable banter.
Key Demons were confident the incident would not fracture the playing group. Although the Demons acknowledged May had slipped up,they also believed the 2021 All-Australian’s behaviour in the past two years had been excellent.
“The grand final one is completely false and I do want to get that out there because that looks bad on characters,” Gawn said. “That wasn’t said and I’m pretty comfortable and trust those two boys that that wasn’t said.”
Gawn said he had rebuked the other players present for not calling out May for breaking team rules by drinking while under concussion protocols.
The Dees are top of the ladder after 12 rounds butlosses to Fremantle and Sydney,followed by the alcohol-fuelled public fight between two senior players,have rocked them.
Gawn said it was “flattening” to be told by Melksham and May of their involvement in the altercation.
“I think it’s just a bad example,definitely,” Gawn said. “And those two boys are very remorseful in what they did and what they were able to do at Entrecote but in the end violence is not the answer,violence is never the answer.”
Melbourne captain Max Gawn condemned the behaviour of Steven May and Jake Melksham.Credit:Getty Images
Gawn said it was “disappointing” teammates had not told May he shouldn’t be drinking given the concussion.
“There was a group of six or seven there. And Steven was drinking with them and I’ve spoken to all parties involved and especially the five guys outside of Steve and Jake. And I express my disappointment.
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“Obviously,it’s a difficult situation and anytime the guy’s one of the older leaders of the football club,but we expect our young guys to be able to lead as well and that really was disappointing.
“And we expect Steve to be able to make the decisions himself at the age he’s in and the experience that he’s had.”
Gawn defended the Demons’ decision not to suspend Melksham.
“Community service is something that can give back to the community,” Gawn said. “A one-week match penalty we didn’t think was suitable for the act that happened.
“Wrestling at a restaurant in the public,both being well-known people in the community. It’s a horrible act,but they can give back through community service ... not to mention the public shame that they both have in the stories coming out left,right,and centre.
“The wheels haven’t fallen off. I’m completely comfortable with where we are from a performance point of view,” Gawn said.
While May said he and Melksham were still mates,Gawn said it would take time for the pair’s friendship to heal.
“I’ve got no doubt that ‘Melky’ and ‘Maysy’ have worked it out and are working it out,but it’s probably not an overnight thing. They had an altercation that probably will go on for a couple of weeks making sure that they mend that friendship.”
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Football manager Alan Richardson said on Wednesday morning the football club was embarrassed about what happened.
“I want to make it very clear that as a club,we do not condone violence of any manner,and the fact that our players allowed any disagreement to escalate to a physical level is completely unacceptable.”
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