Max Gawn injury update: Melbourne breathes a sigh of relief as the captain avoids an ACL tear and is expected to be out for six weeks

Melbourne breathes a sigh of relief as captain Max Gawn avoids the dreaded cruciate ligament tear.

Gawn suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of Friday night’s defeat by Brisbane and feared he could be sidelined for the full season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Max Gawn goes down with a knee injury.

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However, the scan results showed an inner ligament sprain, meaning the skipper will only be out for 4-6 weeks.

“Max has seen a knee specialist and is working with our medical and performance team to determine the best rehabilitation program for returning to the game,” said Alan Richardson, general manager of football performance.

Gawn was the victim of a friendly clash with Jack Viney falling over Gawn’s knee after a center bounce stop.

Viney landed awkwardly on Gawn’s left knee and the skipper immediately grabbed it before limping off the field.

It wasn’t long before Melbourne medical staff put him on hold and banned him from the game, with Jake Melksham taking his place.

Gawn cut a dejected figure in the Melbourne rooms with ice on his knee before going off shot.

There’s more to come