The uncertain future of Melbourne premiership full-back Steven May will be resolved on Monday with the veteran highly likely to announce his retirement.
The 34-year-old May has not been training with the club in recent weeks while on personal leave since police were called to his house.
Steven May’s career is nearing the end.Credit: Getty Images
With the AFL season set to commence this Thursday night, the Demons and May were anxious to resolve his future. That will become clear when he talks to his teammates on Monday morning, said a source with knowledge of the situation who declined to comment publicly out of respect to May.
In the trade period late last year, new Melbourne senior coach Steven King encouraged the two-time All-Australian who had one more year to run on his contract, to explore his options of playing elsewhere.
Finding minimal interest at his age, May returned to the Demons for the final year of his contract.
Separately, May and Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia face criminal charges over a brawl in Sorrento on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in late 2024. They have asked the court to withdraw the charges insisting they were not present at the brawl.
“He’s on personal leave. That’s really as much as I can give you,” Melbourne captain Max Gawn said last week.
“I’ve reached out to him. We’re in dialogue.
“I don’t reach out about anything I shouldn’t, and don’t want to go into his face. I just make sure that he’s healthy and well, and he’s away from the club at the moment.”
Premiership teammate Jake Melksham last week told SEN radio he was hopeful of May returning soon.
Steven May with teammate Michael Hibberd after the Demons’ 2021 grand final triumph in Perth.Credit: AFL Photos
“He’s on personal leave, dealing with some things personally, obviously,” Melksham said.
“We hope that those things can get sorted and that everything comes out fine, but the players actually haven’t been told a heap.
“It’s being dealt with through Alan Richardson (Melbourne’s general manager of football) and the admin and the hierarchy. I can’t really say much more on that one.”
“Maysy is a super-experienced player. He drives high standards, he expects to win, he wants to win. He is a winner, and there’s no doubt that that has a positive impact around our younger guys down [back]. He drives the standard with that.
“We’ve got young and upcoming defenders – Daniel Turner is one of those who has trained super all summer.
“He [Turner] signed a long contract extension with us, and he is one of those guys that will be looking to take Maysy’s spot.
“Whether that’s now or in a years’ time, or whatever that looks like, the club are well equipped to fill any void.”
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