Talks between his management and the club have restarted, but Melbourne still won't know whether they've done enough to retain Jeremy Howe until the end of the season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Demons announced on Friday morning the re-signing of cult figure ruckman Max Gawn for a further three years, and have now turned their attention back to trying to keep Tasmanian swingman Howe.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos said on Friday morning that the Demons were "keen" to keep Howe at the club, and were starting to again have conversations with his manager Ben Niall about extending his stay.
But Niall confirmed that there was no change to the high-flyer's previously stated plan to wait until season's end to make a call, with a need to gain full understanding of his client's options.
"We're having conversations as we always said we would along the way, but it doesn't change the process which is to keep an open dialogue with Melbourne, but make a decision at the end of the year when we've got all the information that we need," Niall told Fairfax Media.
Max Gawn has extended his stay at the club until the end of 2018. But there remain some key personnel at Melbourne unsigned for 2016, headlined by the versatile Howe, and including defender Colin Garland, and veteran Daniel Cross.
Gawn, 23, was kept out of the Melbourne side until round 10, but hasn't missed a game since returning, averaging 14 disposals, 37 hit-outs, nearly five marks and three clearances per game - all of which are career highs. It is the longest continuous stretch of games since he was recruited to the Demons as the club's fifth selection (pick 34 overall) in the 2009 draft.
Gawn outlined his disappointment at missing out on selection for round one, but having worked his way back into the team, believed things would only get better both personally and for his side. "I've seen some dark times here but I can see an upwards trend," Gawn said.
Gawn credited Demons coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin and ruck coach Greg Stafford for his improvement this year. He also joked that Roos had nicknamed him "Mr Invincible" following the ruckman's astonishing showing against Geelong in round 12 in which he had 19 disposals and took eight marks - six of which were contested.
Roos said that Gawn had earned his spot mid-season on the back of his form for Melbourne's VFL affiliate Casey. "Early in the year it was a bit frustrating for him with Mark [Jamar] playing ... but it was probably good for him in the long run," Roos said.
"Max had a really good run of form in the VFL then came up to the AFL and has played probably the best footy I've seen from him.
"It's good that Gawn's shown some faith in the club, and it's great to see all our young guys re-signing.
"Mark [Jamar] was good early in the year then Max knocked the door down... To Mark's credit, he's really driven the standards down at Casey."
Gawn agreed that he found things difficult at the start of the year.
"I wasn't picked in the round one side and I took that pretty poorly … but once I cracked in I've started to enjoy my footy," he said.
The Demons face the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, and at 6-12 enter the game as massive underdogs against the fourth-placed Dogs. Adding to the degree of difficulty is the fact the Melbourne have not won at Docklands since beating the Bulldogs in round 19, 2007, with their losing streak at the venue extended to 21 in a heartbreaking two-point loss to St Kilda in round 11.
Roos downplayed the stretch, believing that ultimately Melbourne's results were dependent on their output. "I think it's just a case that for us as a footy club, we have to play at 100 per cent to win games of footy."
