Footy star Max Gawn opens up for the first time about the personal problem that's the talk of the AFL after his coach was slammed for blindsiding the star in bombshell press conference

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Melbourne captain Max Gawn has opened up about the personal issue he has been struggling with off the field as he downplayed suggestions of a rift with his coach Simon Goodwin.

Gawn, the seven-time All Australian, had his colours lowered in an absorbing ruck duel with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

It proved pivotal as North monstered the Demons in the last term for a stunning 59-point win.

Asked about how Gawn had responded to losing the ruck duel - a rarity for him - Goodwin said there had been contributing factors off the field in remarks that drew widespread criticism as he blindsided his star.

'Today he'll acknowledge he got beaten by a really good opponent, but you also have to realise that in life, there are other things that are going on,' Goodwin said.

'We'll support Max, he's a great person, a great leader, and there's a back story to everyone's performance.

Max Gawn (pictured) has opened up about the sad family revelation that he's been dealing with off the field

Gawn said a family member has been ill for about 24 months

'I'm not going to go into the details. There's footy, there's some stuff in life.

'He's someone we love dearly and he'll certainly be a big part of our response.'

Gawn has since opened up about Goodwin's cryptic answer, revealing a family member has been struggling with illness for some time.

'I am OK. There's an illness in the family, there has been for a while – about 24 months, to be honest,' he told Triple M's 'Mick in the Morning'. 

'And I've put myself in a really good spot throughout that 24 months, to be honest … played some good footy, got some great people at the club, great people in my family, and I've turned up every single day ready to be a captain and player and turned up at home ready to be a husband and dad as well.

'I haven't hid behind it … I'm also free to talk about it throughout the club. 

'I'm in a really good spot. And so is the family member at this point. It did sort of escalate over the last three or four weeks, but back to a steady state now.'

Gawn downplayed any suggestion that a rift had developed between him and Goodwin.

The Melbourne skipper said the situation with his family member hasn't escalated

Gawn said there's no rift between he and his coach Simon Goodwin, calling him a 'father figure'

'There's no issue with me and Goody,' Gawn said.

'I can clearly see what he was trying to do – he was trying to show me love and support and I don't mind. I spoke to that family member yesterday. They don't mind. It's fine.

'I love that my coach loves me and it clearly shows that he cares. He's 100 per cent right. There is reasons behind performance. 

'He is a father figure for me and he was showing love and showing care and I appreciate that.'