In several ways, Melbourne were the big story of the AFL national draft.

That's what happens when you are gifted the first two picks - used on future midfield stars Tom Scully and Jack Trengove - courtesy of back-to-back wooden spoons.

And the Demons kept thinking big in a more literal sense further down the draft, landing giant Max Gawn and fellow ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick with their final two selections.

At 208cm, Gawn will be the second tallest player in the league next year behind only Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands, at 211cm the biggest man ever to play the sport at the highest level.

And having sprouted 8cm in the previous year, the 17-year-old Gawn could even end up looking down on the towering Docker in seasons to come.

Gawn's parents moved from New Zealand to Australia when they were 20, meaning he dabbled in rugby's version of Auskick as a youngster.

He also played basketball and volleyball, but Australian Rules was always his big sporting love.

And once the Sandringham Dragons included him in their squad in Victoria's elite Under-18 competition, the dream of making it to the AFL came more sharply into focus.

The major setback came in May, when Gawn ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament shortly after being included in the Vic Metro Under-18 squad on the back of a handful of dominant performances for the Dragons.

That injury might have scared off a few AFL clubs on draft day, but the Demons took the long-term approach and were delighted he was still available with their fifth pick at No.34.

Even though he is unlikely to be ready to play before June, the ambitious Gawn has not ruled out breaking into the Demons' senior side by the end of 2010.

And despite his huge frame, the 104kg Gawn said one of his biggest on-field assets was his mobility.

"Back in year nine and year 10 I wasn't always the tallest bloke in the side," he said on Tuesday.

"Running, moving around and agility are among my strengths.

"I've maintained that as I've kept growing, although the knee has probably put it back a little bit."

Coach Dean Bailey acknowledged that Gawn's mix of physical attributes bore some comparison with his former Essendon teammate Paul Salmon (205cm), who starred at full-forward and in the ruck for the Bombers and Hawthorn in a decorated 324-game career.

"Fish (Salmon) was very mobile and a good runner and guys that big don't come around often in drafts," said Bailey.

"Inwardly Max is super competitive and he wants to make his mark.

"He's got the height and the agility is something he will have to improve on, although he's quite good at it already."

Grimes and the 199cm Fitzpatrick join a very promising Melbourne ruck division which includes Mark Jamar, Paul Johnson and fast-improving rookie Jake Spencer (203cm).

The club will also re-select John Meesen in the rookie draft later this month if he is overlooked by other clubs.

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