Max Gawn praises 2019 Liam Ryan hanger as ‘one of the marks of the century' after serving as stepladder
Gawn was a guest on Seven's The Front Bar on Wednesday night, where he rated Ryan's grab as the best to be taken on his back in a field that includes Western Bulldogs goalsneak Cody Weightman and Port Adelaide spearhead Mitch Georgiades.
The Melbourne skipper said he was at peace with playing a part in helping Ryan secure the 2019 Mark of the Year.
'The Liam Ryan one I actually think is right up there as one of the marks of the century, and I was involved in it,' he said.
'I'm pretty happy with that.'
Gawn wasn't done there in showing some love for West Coast players ahead of the Demons' clash with the Eagles next weekend, rating former ruck rival Dean Cox as the best player he'd ever seen.
Ryan provided another Optus Stadium moment of magic last week in an act that could see him complete a rare double come end-of-season awards time.
The 28-year-old produced a superb snap from deep in the pocket against Richmond - and got a friendly goalsquare bounce - to submit a Goal of the Year contender.
If successful, Ryan would become just the second player this century to have snared both the Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year nods during their career.
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd is currently the only man in that category, having won Goal of the Year for a crafty goalsquare back-heel in 2007 before earning top grab honours with a pack mark against Melbourne the following season.
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ABC News
14 minutes ago
- ABC News
Why Wallabies could have the 'blueprint' to defeating British and Irish Lions in second Test
When the Wallabies watched back their defeat to the British and Irish Lions in the first Test, they could have hit the pause button after just 10 seconds to identify a key area of the match in which they were soundly beaten. Making a hit-up on the second phase following the kick-off in Brisbane last Saturday night, Wallabies loose-head prop James Slipper was abruptly halted by a stinging two-man tackle executed by Lions hooker Dan Sheehan and back-rower Tom Curry. The moment set the tone for the match, as the Lions had immediately signalled they were intent on dominating the physical contest, a key battleground in any Test. After Sheehan and Curry stopped Slipper in his tracks, the Lions imposed themselves again by winning a defensive breakdown penalty in the next phase, from which they established a 3-0 advantage on the scoreboard in the second minute of play. The Lions enjoyed a 24-5 lead soon after half-time, and despite a spirited Wallabies' fightback, the tourists completed a comfortable 27-19 victory, with the final scoreline not reflecting how dominant they were in the series opener. Lions coach Andy Farrell admitted his team had room for improvement, an ominous warning ahead of Saturday night's second Test at the MCG. Having been out-muscled on both sides of the ball by the Lions, "physicality" virtually become a buzzword for the Wallabies after arriving in Melbourne. Reacting to the Wallabies' loss, coach Joe Schmidt added some world-class firepower to his forward pack in the form of back-rower Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton. Both players were sorely missed in the first Test, having been sidelined due to calf injuries. Valetini and Skelton have the potential to provide much-needed aggression to the Wallabies' attack and defence, and have shown they can win the collisions at the Test level. "When you get two people with their presence and experience coming into your side, it always does give you confidence," Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told reporters on Friday. "They're two real leaders in the group and to have them back in such a big match is really exciting for us." There are question marks over Valetini and Skelton's match fitness, however, given they were also unavailable for the Test against Fiji in Newcastle earlier this month. It's one of the reasons Schmidt opted to select six forwards — including damaging ball-runner Langi Gleeson — on his eight-player reserves bench, wanting to maintain an aggressive template he hopes Valetini and Skelton can create for the Wallabies before they are replaced. "We want to impose ourselves physically," Wilson said. "We want to back our skills and go out there and start fast … and throw your body around, knowing there's some quality bench players to come and finish." Personnel changes can go a long way to teams upping the ante when it comes to physicality, but an attitudinal adjustment can be just as effective. The Wallabies would be wise to take a leaf out of the First Nations and Pasifika XV's playbook in the wake of their performance against the Lions in Melbourne last Tuesday night. It wasn't a mistake-free display from the First Nations and Pasifika XV, who trailed 14-0 early, conceded 12 line breaks and gave away 13 penalties to the Lions' eight during the 80 minutes. But they stuck to their pre-match plan of being aggressive in attack and defence to rattle the Lions, who were forced to cling on during the final 10 minutes before prevailing 24-19 at the Docklands stadium. Such was the physical presence of the First Nations and Pasifika XV, their captain Kurtley Beale believed they showed the Lions can be vulnerable. "You need to take it (physicality) to them," said Beale, who has appeared in 95 Tests for the Wallabies. "There were patches there where we had the momentum and the Lions were kind of taking a backfoot step, and I think that created opportunities for us. "These boys (First Nations and Pasifika XV), they love the physicality. You need the physicality to lay the platform for your backs to play off." The First Nations and Pasifika XV's effort didn't go unnoticed by the Wallabies. "Just seeing the way they went after them (Lions) with the line speed, the big hits in defence," Wilson said. "It was a great blueprint there about how really to try to physically dominate them." Defence is said to be built on attitude and mindset, so the Wallabies have had plenty to think about in the past week. They also don't need a reminder about what's at stake when both teams run out on the MCG in front of a crowd that may exceed 90,000 spectators. "There is no denying — we've got to go out here, we have to win," Wilson said. "We've got to win the next two (Tests) to win the series."
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
What time does the British and Irish Lions vs Wallabies match kick off? How can I watch it?
The Wallabies must win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night to keep their Test series against the British and Irish Lions alive. After falling to the Lions 27-19 at Lang Park, the Wallabies will be hoping a historically good record against the visitors in Melbourne will force the series to a decider. Here is what you need to know about the second Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions. The second Test is on Saturday night at the MCG in Melbourne. Here are the kick-off times for each state and territory, as well as the UK, Ireland, and the other SANZAAR rugby nations: In Australia, broadcaster Channel Nine will show the second Test match on free-to-air. The match will also be streamed online through the Nine Network's 9Now. Nine's streaming platform, Stan Sport, will also be broadcasting the match live. Here are the host broadcasters in other parts of the world: You can follow the action on ABC Sport through the live blog, online commentary, and the ABC Listen app. The British and Irish Lions claimed a 1-0 lead in the series with a 27-19 win last Saturday at Lang Park. The tourists were well on top for most of the match, and threatened to win by a big margin when they led 24-5 early in the second half. But the Wallabies showed plenty of grit and determination in front of 52,229 fans. The hosts clawed their way back into the contest in the second half to reduce the margin to just eight points. Despite the Lions dominating most of the match, both teams scored three tries each, with goal kicking proving the difference in the match. The Wallabies and Lions have played each other twice in Melbourne, and the home side has a perfect record. The Wallabies have won both Test matches they have played against the Lions in the Victorian capital. Both Tests in Melbourne, in 2001 and 2013, were the second matches in the series when the Lions had won the week prior in Brisbane. In 2001, the Wallabies produced a second-half blitz to overrun the Lions and claim a 35-14 win at Docklands Stadium. That 21-point margin is the largest victory the Wallabies have ever achieved over the Lions. In 2013, the Wallabies triumphed at Docklands Stadium in a 16-15 nail-biter. Welshman Leigh Halfpenny had a kick after the siren from beyond 50 metres to win the match for the Lions, but the attempt came up short. The context for the 2025 Test is different to the previous two tours, with the match being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The British and Irish Lions are an international representative rugby team, with the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales being eligible for selection. The first tour, although unsanctioned, was in 1888 with players representing the British Isles playing matches in Australia and New Zealand. The Lions have regularly toured Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The Lions did not play against the Wallabies between 1966 and 1989, however, they did play against Queensland and New South Wales during their tour of New Zealand in 1971. The 1989 Lions tour of Australia began the current four-year cycle of Lions tours to the southern hemisphere. The Lions rotate between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, meaning they only tour each of these nations once every 12 years. The British and Irish Lions were last on Australian shores in 2013, where they claimed a memorable 2-1 Test series win. The opening two Tests of the series were nail-biters, going down to the final play. The Lions triumphed in Brisbane 23-21, then the Wallabies were victorious in Melbourne, 16-15. In both matches, the losing side had a penalty kick at full-time to win the match, but missed. The third Test threatened to again go down to the wire, with the Lions holding a 19-16 lead early in the second half. But the tourists scored three tries in the final 23 minutes to earn a commanding 41-16 win, and claim the series. Since their first official Test match in 1899, Australia and the British and Irish Lions have faced each other in 23 Test matches. The Wallabies have managed to defeat the Lions six times. Australia was victorious in the maiden encounter in 1899, a 13-3 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was also Australia's first Test match win in rugby. The Lions would go on to win the next three Tests in 1899, claiming a 3-1 series win. Australia would have to wait until 1930 before their second Test win against the Lions, a 6-5 triumph at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was the only Test match against Australia played on the 1930 Lions' tour, meaning Australia had achieved their first of two series wins. The modern 12-year cycle of Lions tours began in 1989, and the Wallabies achieved their first Test win over the Lions in 49 years. World champions at the time, the Wallabies defeated the Lions in the first Test 30-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Lions recovered to win the following two Tests and win the series. Australia's only multi-match series win came in 2001. After losing the first Test at the Gabba, the Wallabies recovered to defeat the Lions at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, 35-14. The 21-point margin is Australia's largest win over the Lions. The Wallabies won the series with a famous 29-23 victory at Stadium Australia in front of 84,188 fans. Australia's last win over the Lions was during the second Test in 2013.
West Australian
11 hours ago
- West Australian
Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table
It wasn't quite high-powered Wall Street execs in Armani suits, marching in to close a billion-dollar deal — but the stakes, in a footy sense, were just as high. Harley's Melbourne-based manager Nick Geischen rolled into town, and while he didn't utter the words 'Show Me the Money', he didn't need to. The phrase was emanating from his $24 million smile. It's been a hectic week in Harley-world, with a somewhat surprising shift in the situation. Earlier this year, the Eagles put forward multiple contract options to Harley's team. Three, five, seven-year deals — a pick-your-own-adventure approach. Nothing came of it. which had people thinking — he's gone. Even before the Eagles drafted him, there was talk Harley would bail. That the Eagles would be better off trading the pick. Victorian journalist Sam McLure now famously declared 'they won't pick him, Mitch (Cleary)' — suggesting West Coast would be better off passing on one of the most prodigious talents the draft has seen in years — just to avoid the inevitable messy exit. It's always been perceived as a matter of when Harley will leave, not if . Then, the twist. Geischen had come bearing gifts — a proposal for West Coast. An 11-year deal. $2.2 million per year, on average. $24 million all up. The largest deal in AFL history. More money per year than Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins. Unprecedented numbers across the board. While it sounds like monopoly money, in 11 years, $2.2 million won't be as crazy as it sounds right now. By then, Harley will be 32 and potentially edging out of his prime — but with the growth of the AFL's salary cap, he might end up a bargain at some stage. Remember, back in 1994 Alastair Lynch signed a ten-year deal for $1 million — at $100,000 per season, people lost their minds at the money. By the time Lynch retired, he was woefully underpaid. As part of this proposed deal, Harley would have the option to leave after two years. If not, he'd be here until the end of 2037. Let that sink in. In 2037 we might actually have flying cars and robot slaves. Or we'll be slaves to the robots. I'll be 54 years old. Bring me a pair of warm slippers, a glass of prune juice, and cap it off with a few episodes of Murder She Wrote. Maybe my idea of what it's like to be 54 is a little dated — but you get the point — 2037 is an eternity away. Harley's people bringing this to the table signals his intention to stay — if terms can be agreed. So, what's changed? Nothing, really. All along we've heard Harley, the Eagles, even his management declare the young midfielder was taking his time, happy in Perth. In recent weeks Reid's form has elevated, he's exhibiting an edge, leadership around the club. He's forming strong bonds with teammates. My understanding is he's told Andrew McQualter he wants to stay. At 20, he's living on his own, cooking, cleaning, he's got a dog. He's handling the media/fan pressure superbly. Some 20-year-olds can barely remember to flush the toilet. This kid is settled. Credit to the Eagles for an environment where a country kid from the other side of Australia feels comfortable, happy. Saying that, nothing is guaranteed here. The new proposal isn't quite a gun to the head, an ultimatum — but it's not miles off it. This is how keeping Harley Reid looks. If that's too rich, there will be other suitors. It's a fairly simple situation — other than the overwhelming commitment. That's the holdup, if there is one. No one saw this coming. Not even the Eagles. The deal, or at least the sheer enormity of it, has blindsided West Coast. They've taken a pause. In the month following the contract proposal landing in their inbox, there's been no response. Some meals take a lot longer to digest, and this is like going to a steak joint and being served an entire cow. Don't panic Eagles fans, they know what they have in Harley. They love him. If they believe they've found the sun which all other planets can rotate around, that he could be their Dustin Martin, their Patrick Dangerfield, then they need to do it. Maybe it's a slight variation of this proposed deal, a happy compromise, but they can't get too cute here. Harley could be the AFL's best player within a few years. Yes, a deal that long, with that kind of financial commitment comes with risk. In my opinion, it's a risk worth taking. This kid is special. He wants to be here and he's box office. After a disastrous four years at the West Coast Eagles, the signature of Harley Reid would be a significant victory and a sign that things might finally be turning around. Years of endless chat about a move back to Victoria for Harley, now the Eagles have a chance to keep their man. They just need to sign on the dotted line.
