Gawn pays tribute to Jones May no chance of missing decider

Heroic Melbourne captain Max Gawn has paid tribute to his predecessor Nathan Jones for being a “bigger man” than him, with Jones returning to Melbourne for the birth of his twin children, as injured key defender Steven May declared he was “no chance” of missing the grand final.

Jones, who’s played one game since round seven, has struggled to break back into the team with the Demons launching a premiership tilt in the second half of the season.

Nathan Jones (right) with Tom Sparrow after Friday night’s big win by the Demons to advance to the grand final.Credit:AFL Photos

After the Demons obliterated Geelong in the preliminary final on Friday night, Jones has made the decision to return home to be with his wife for the birth of their twin children.

Jones, 33, has played 302 games and will go down as one of the greatest Melbourne players of the modern era.

“If we have seen the last of him ... the character that he’s not going to put on the selection committee ... he’s going to stand up and say no I want to be there for the birth of my twins,” Gawn said.

“So he’s going back to Melbourne ... and he’s a bigger man than me. It’s a tough decision, he really wants to see the birth of his twins and he also really wants to see a flag. But, obviously, one thing comes first in this incredible situation that we’re in with COVID and borders.

Nathan Jones and Jake Melksham.Credit:AFL Photos

“I think he saw he’d done potentially all he can to get a game. Let’s say it was a three of four per cent chance that he was going to get a game this week and he’d rather be with the twins.”

Meantime, May has declared himself a certain starter for the grand final in a fortnight, despite being subbed out of Friday night’s preliminary final with a right hamstring injury.

May strained his hamstring in a marking contest with direct opponent Tom Hawkins, who helped May under the ball while attempting to mark.

Max Gawn is ready for his first grand final. Credit:AFL Photos

“There’s no chance I’m missing that,” May said on Saturday.

“Of course, we have to do what’s best for the team but I’m super confident in my body. I know my body pretty well now, the strength in my hamstrings and in my body is at an all-time high, so I think it was a bit more of a nervy scare, but it’s business as usual come Monday.”

Gawn was clearly the player of the match on Friday night, kicking five goals, including four in a scintillating third quarter.

But after taking care of Geelong, Gawn and his Demons have now switched their focus to the twilight grand final at Optus Stadium in two weeks’ time.

“To be a part of that is something pretty special and something that I’m really going to enjoy,” Gawn said.

“I’ve been caught up in the history of this club since the day I was drafted. I love the club and everything it’s about and unfortunately, we haven’t been able to taste success since 1964 and they still haven’t.

“We haven’t broken that drought yet. It’s not won until we win this last game. We’ve ticked off one out of two games and we’ve got one more to go.”

Sam McClure is a sport reporter for The Age and winner of 'best news reporter' at the AFL Media Association awards.Connect via Twitter or email.

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