I hate to say it but please, don't stuff this up.

It is a tragedy that Max Gawn is injured but if anyone deserves another crack at playing on the big stage - albeit against Freo on Easter Saturday at the 'G - it is you.

You've got the height and build; you train with the best.

At 27, and eight years since your debut, you are one of the longest servants of the club through one of its bleakest periods, so you deserve your shot. But do not underestimate how big the shoes are that you are filling.

For all the jokes about Dees supporters, we are a resilient and loyal bunch (my mates are at least), but we now foolishly have high hopes.

Much of this has to do with Big Max Gawn, whose talents are supposed to feed the burgeoning midfield and lead the Dees out of the mire.

His ruck work and inspiring pack marks, in Jim Stynes' famous number 11 jumper, are symbolic of a club on the rise. When Max went down last week, red and blue hearts everywhere skipped several beats.

Max and his crew were going to deliver the Dees to the promised September land, so it is not an understatement to say that a lot rests on your shoulders.

One Dees-supporting mate summed it up in a text recently: "Don't f**k this up??? Regards, all Melbourne supporters".

Another wants you to play well over next three months so we can get some trade value. Some people are so cruel.

I remember watching you in one of your first of 36 games. It was an August Sunday afternoon at Etihad.

You were having a shot for goal from inside 50, and as you ran in you dropped the ball without kicking it. There was a groan.

But that was a different time, there was little hope among Dees' supporters then. The only others from the current crop of Dees playing that day were Nathan Jones and Neville Jetta.

Now there is hope, and you know how to kick goals. Your hat-trick against West Coast at Subiaco in the pre-season comp - even snagging one on the run - was a sign of how far you've come.

Like your shock of hair you've clearly grown into a competent footballer - Big Max said he found it hard to train against you, and that's a big compliment.

Now is the time to shine, and what better test than to go up against one of the modern greats in Aaron Sandilands, the behemoth from the West.

So it's over to you, Jake.

Relish the opportunity, give Melbourne's mids first use, take some grabs and don't be afraid to put a few Dockers on the deck as they run past. Perhaps swing forward and snag a couple.

Melbourne needs you. We all need another win, our hopes cannot be dashed just yet.

PS. I hope Jack Watts has bought you a slab so he doesn't have to ruck all day.

Richard Willingham is The Age's State Political Correspondent and a long-suffering Dees supporter.