Footy star Max Gawn reveals the very personal reason he wants AFL players’ weights kept secret – and gives an update on troubled teammate Clayton Oliver
- AFL is keeping player weights confidential for the first time
- Former star responded by saying: ‘the world has become soft’
- Demons ruckman backs the divisive policy change
Melbourne Demons ruckman Max Gawn has backed the AFL’s controversial decision to keep stars’ weights confidential due to the impact it could have on players’ mental health, saying: ‘I don’t want to be laughed at.’
For the first time, and in consultation with the league’s health and welfare unit, players’ weights will not be published in the AFL season guide along with their height and date of birth.
The move sparked harsh criticism from fans and ex-star Kane Cornes, who said: ‘The world has become so soft. I can not believe it.
Gawn has backed the AFL’s decision to keep players’ weights secret in a first for the code
The Demons ruckman revealed his own struggles with having to join the team’s ‘fat club’ after returning to training overweight
“You’re a professional athlete. You are not a social media influencer. In any other sport I can look that (weight) up.”
However, Gawn said it was never correct in the first place and was redundant in the modern game.
“It’s not necessary at all,” Gawn continued Triple M’s Marty Sheargold Show on Wednesday.
“If I come across a young ruck I don’t know. If they are strong they weigh 100kg, if they are slim and fit they are probably less than 100kg.
“I’ve been the same weight in the book since I was drafted and my weight has changed ten times. We don’t step on the scales for the AFL every year.
The premiership winner said even Demons coach Simon Goodwin does not know his weight or skinfold test results
‘There is a standard that we want to be and between you, your high performance manager and your dietitian you will arrive at the top performance body that you want to be.
“But you’re the only three people who know that. Even Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) wouldn’t know what my weight is or what my skin folds are.’
Gawn said that in the past, players returning from being overweight were sent to a “fat club” in the off-season, causing “anxiety.”
“I understand that we are top performers, top athletes and we have to keep our bodies at a certain level, but that doesn’t help,” he said.
‘If I go back 15 years, if I come back a bit top-heavy I would be in a ‘fat club’ and be laughed at.
‘I understand that we are top athletes and that we have to keep our bodies at a high level, but that doesn’t help.
“If I come back top-heavy, I feel bad and I can get through it with my dietitian and good performance (staffer), but I don’t need to be laughed at.”
Gawn talks to teammate Clayton Oliver (pictured) ‘most days’ as the 26-year-old stays away from training as he deals with personal issues
Gawn also said he continues to support four-time club best and fairest winner Oliver, who has taken an extended leave of absence from the club as he continues to deal with personal issues that forced him to miss the return to pre-season training.
“He’s had his challenges, especially in the last few weeks.” Gawn said.
“I’m still talking to Clayton most days. We all just want the best possible version of Clayton. If that’s in and around the football club, come tomorrow and we’ll have the best time ever.
‘If it is to get away for a while and work on oneself, I support that too.’
“Right now it’s in other people’s hands… hopefully we get it back soon.”