Demons skipper pays tribute Neale Daniher, late icons after Melbourne's grand final triumph
Melbourne captain Max Gawn took time after the Demons' historic grand final win over the Bulldogs to pay tribute to a number of late iconic figures of the club.
The Demons tonight broke a 57-year premiership drought with a thumping 74-point win over the Bulldogs at Perth's Optus Stadium with a stunning second-half showing.
After the win, Gawn made special mentions of former players Troy Broadbridge, Jim Stynes and Colin Sylvia, as well as former Demons coach Dean Bailey, who have all passed away in recent times.
The Melbourne skipper also revealed he took inspiration from Demons and AFL icon Neale Daniher, the co-founder of Fight MND, for his pre-match rev-up.
Max Gawn of the Demons celebrates during the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Getty
"We've had a lot of tragedy that's followed the club. Especially since I've been there," Gawn said.
"Troy Broadbridge, Dean Bailey, who drafted me, Colin Sylvia — his parents reached out to me — and Neale Daniher, who is going through one almighty fight with MND.
"His (Daniher) poster was up on the wall before the game. He's got a big quote — 'You can talk as much as you want, it's about doing'.
"That was my speech before the game, quoted his famous comment.
"He lives with us. He is still going strong. It is a shame he wasn't here tonight.
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"The Daniher family, Stynes family, it is very well documented my connection with the Stynes family.
"They're special people that make this club special."
