The motion was emblematic of Max Gawn\u2019s investment in the new era at Melbourne.<\/p>\n
The decision to play out the entire final quarter without a rest, which led to the Demons\u2019 thrilling win over St Kilda, was made by the skipper himself.<\/p>\n
Sensing an unwell Tom De Koning and his control of the match, Gawn told new coach Steven King he would battle out the tense final term.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you say? Coaching against him for such a long time, you put so much work into him,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo have him there as a first-game coach, someone like him with his experience and leadership even at three-quarter time to say, \u2018I\u2019ll play the whole last quarter\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe put that up on the table himself, he said \u2018I\u2019m right\u2019 and that just shows the athlete he is and the preparation he puts into his body and his experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen just his competitiveness and I think his love for the club, really. <\/p>\n
\u201cRound 1 is no more important than any other game but I think for us, in the position we were in, it was so important.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Max to step up and do that himself, what a role model for the rest of his teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a contrast to St Kilda, which had its superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera trapped on the bench for six crucial minutes late in the fourth.<\/p>\n
Gawn\u2019s ownership and the eventual result was a nerve-settler for King in his first match as coach.<\/p>\n
King admitted he drove to the ground doubting the Demons\u2019 preparation, after injuries and lightning derailed their only competitive pre-season match.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat first game of the year, we\u2019ve sat back and watched Opening Round (and) as a footy club we\u2019d only played a half in the three weeks lead up,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sit back and you sort of do question, \u2018How well are we prepared?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we trained well over summer but we had a couple of players, not underdone, but (Brody) Mihocek had played under 10 minutes of pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cBayley Fritsch had got bitten by a dog, Jai Culley broke his arm, there was enough doubt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think as a coach driving to the ground, you\u2019re always optimistic but you also understand and know how close this competition is.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going through all of the scenarios in your head, so to see the boys dig in and play for each other and play for the club, it was awesome to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Demons climbed over the spruced-up Saints in Round 1 but have an even greater task in Fremantle at Perth Stadium this weekend.<\/p>\n