Follow AFL round 13 King’s Birthday scores, results, odds, squads and start time from MCG in Melbourne, Big Freeze slide
Max Gawn said his confrontation with Steven May after the siren was just a product of two disappointed players frustrated at losing a game by one point after leading in the last quarter.
Gawn pushed May in chest after it appeared the defender had criticised his captain for a turnover kick in the final 30 seconds of the thrilling match at the MCG, watched by 77,761.
Gawn had taken mark in the back pocket with 38 seconds to go and the Demons down by a point.
He attempted a chaos kick that skewed sideways to Wil Hoskin-Elliott, giving the Magpies possession and the opportunity run down the clock.
Max Gawn looks on in disappointment after the siren.Credit: Getty Images
May challenged Gawn on the field and was pushed away by the unimpressed Demons skipper.
“We just both want to win. I am not sure what actually happened. It was very loud with the crowd and what not. We both want to win and it was a very disappointing last 30 seconds in the way it played out,” Gawn said.
“I thought it was weird I was called to play on. I didn’t think I moved, and then a ruckman kicking from the back pocket when called to play on is not a great recipe for us to win, so I thought a chaos ball was the best option.
“He (May) holds us to high standards and he wants to win.
“It was more along the lines we lost by a point in a game we were leading in the last quarter … that’s the disappointment.
“Taking a mark in the back pocket with 25 seconds to go, you are a two per cent chance of winning. I don’t think it’s that play (that cost the game) but we want to win.”
