Melbourne captain Max Gawn has been lauded as "one of the best ever in the game" by hs coach, who hopes the star ruckman will still be donning the red and blue for "another four or five years".
Gawn has returned to dominant form in recent weeks, with his most recent outing against Richmond seeing the premiership skipper named best-afield after collecting 25 disposals, 34 hitouts, six clearances, 13 contested possessions and 12 score involvements in the 20-point victory.
The outing followed strong performances against Fremantle and Essendon, with Gawn bouncing back from a slow start to the season amid the Demons' struggles.
With two wins in as many weeks now on the board, Melbourne's prospects have been buoyed as their captain looks to be back at his best, with coach Simon Goodwin hoping his bearded leader can "can keep playing to this standard".
The Demons had the benefit of being able to manage Gawn for the final half of the last term given their healthy lead, with Goodwin knowing the value in keeping his 231-gamer primed for the long campaign.
"Another four or five years would be handy," Goodwin joked of the 33-year-old's time left at the top of his game.
"We took him off with half a quarter to go. It's a long year, we've got to look after the big fella.
"He's just an extraordinary leader. I think we've seen in the last two weeks he's been able to drive the right things and lead the footy club incredibly well.
"Gee, we do hope he can keep playing to this standard, that'd be nice."
The likes of Carlton big man Tom De Koning, Collingwood tall Darcy Cameron and North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri have threatened Gawn's standing as the best ruckman in the competition this year.
Coming off his seventh All-Australian season, Gawn is "reminding everyone" of his stature as one of the best of his ruckmen ever.
"He does things a slightly different way in terms of De Koning and (others)," Goodwin added.
"He's got enormous pride in his game, and you're seeing one of the best ever in the game go about his craft.
"From what we've seen the last few weeks, he's just reminding everyone that there's just a little bit more left in him."
The Demons will eye their third successive victory next Saturday when they fly to Perth to face a winless West Coast outfit.
