100 is up for Max Gray!

Friday 30 August 2024

This Saturday at Brunswick Street Oval vs Fitzroy, Max Gray brings up his century of Blacks games! Congrats Maxy!

On Saturday 2pm, Blacker’s far and wide will rejoice with second generation Blacksm’n Max Gray taking the field for the 100^th time. For those who know Max and the Gray’s, this milestone always seemed destined to take place, owing to Max’s indoctrination at an early age into the Blacks through his father’s obvious connections (Max's old man being the idiosyncratic, unique and synonymous with the Blacks, Justin a.k.a Damage).

Through this family tie, the Blacks have been blessed with Max joining the Club formally as a player in 2018. Still 18 and fresh from his schooling at St. Kevin’s, Max was already known to many around the traps. Having already volunteered as waterboy on more occasions than most would do in their lifetime, Max had a very quiet confidence in knowing how to walk and talk as a Blacker, fitting in very quickly among his peers and Senior players alike, despite the age differences.

Never one to get ahead of himself, talk out of turn, or fail to back up his words with action, Max played a mix of roles in 2018, for his Under 19s coach Chris Smith and eventually as a consistent Reserves player. Being a young player in a team of adults can be overwhelming and maybe dent your confidence, but that was never the case for Max.

Max in the 2018 Semi Final vs Beaumaris.

Owing to his natural athleticism and lightning skills, Max was able to play great footy towards the end of 2018, and in fact kicked the match winning point in the nail biting Preliminary Final vs St. Bernards (after already kicking a magnificent goal on the run from 50m in the first quarter).

Missing out on the Grand Final due to Seniors players becoming available must have been disappointing for Max, but after signing a "lifetime" contract, even he knew the bigger prize lay in Senior footy for himself not too far down the road. You never saw his head drop, only his voice grow louder as he cheered on his teammates for the final.

Putting in a solid pre-season with Senior Coach Cam Roberts at the helm again for 2019, Max was selected to play in the Seniors for the first time, against Fitzroy in Round 2! It was poetic for those who knew of Max’s background, having played his junior footy with Fitzroy, and Brunswick Street Oval had a high degree of familiarity for him (debut kick in the Seniors below!).

Now we haven’t measured exactly, or fact checked it properly either, but assumed that Max was a state champ for high jump with Skevs (pictured below). It is clear when watching Max that this ability to jump is innate – often floating over the top of opponents, levitating in the air and taking a clean mark, or punching it clear of the contest. This ability to impact the game on the ground and in the air has earned Max a great respect from his teammates who often are much older than him, especially in his first seasons.

Max and two other competitors who did not jump as high as he did.

Outside of the Blacks, Max diligently studied away at Uni Melb taking on a Bachelor of Environments, whilst working part time with Harry the Hirer for pocket money. Max’s work ethic not just in footy, but in these areas too were clear for all to see – a straight talker that wouldn’t waste time talking about what needed to be done, rather, would carry on with getting the job done.

Fast forward through the pandemic years of 2020/21, Max completed his studies and is now working full time in the Property industry, often seen making the commute direct from the CBD to training, still in his work suit. Max had adapted seamlessly to this next phase of his life, producing some lynch-pin efforts for us across the wings and half back.

Never one to drop his head after a mistake, Max is a very coachable player, focusing on the next contest and continuing to push on for his side until the final siren.

In 2024, he is nicknamed ‘the cleanest man in the VAFA’, derived from his clean-cut looks, and silky use of the ball as a prime mover up and down the wings of the Uni Main. We are positive that just because it was always a dream to be pulling on the Black and Blue and not just being a passenger, but a genuine contributor, the reality isn’t any less exciting or worth cherishing.

Congratulations on your milestone match Maxy, we are sorry it has fallen on the same day as Snags and his 150^th but we don’t think that will take the spotlight off of you at all – in fact, Max is probably completely content with sharing the match with Sam, as it will allow him to do what he does best – a simple and straightforward approach to the game that will yield maximum results for his side.

The whole Club wish you the best of luck this weekend Max and we can’t wait to see you getting chaired off to hopefully a win along with Sam, for what most punters would bet on, will be your first of multiple milestone games!

Now for some Q and A with the man himself, will be interesting we are sure.

How did you end up at the Club?

Can't quite remember my first introduction to the club, would have been around 2005 kicking my Auskick footy around the Crawf while Damage was coaching the Unders.

Any standout/strange memories from Under 19s?

A weirder one was the training when Chris Smith sent us on a run to the Tankerville to have a pot.

Favourite player to watch when growing up?

Adam Goodes.

Thriftiest/biggest tightarse at the Club?

Jez rightfully keeps an eye on the club funds with the select number of sports gels, recycled lollies and lost property fines.

Favourite subject at high school?

English. Loved an essay.

Favourite teammate?

My old mate Hack, been there all the way with some good footy and trucking memories.

Any interesting pregame routines?

I enjoy tramming to the games with a 7-11 chicken avocado sandwich.