By Michael Gleeson
Melbourne have swiftly moved to add Casey forward Paddy Cross to their list to fill the spot created by the retirement of premiership full-back Steven May on the eve of the season.
After a period of personal leave, May announced his immediate retirement on Sunday night, saying he did not want to be a distraction for the Demons as they embarked on a new era.
Steven May’s career has drawn to a close.Credit: Getty Images
On Monday, Melbourne agreed to sign Cross to their senior list hours before the pre-season supplemental selection period closed. The 23-year-old, who has been training with the Demons over the summer, has impressed new coach Steven King with his football smarts.
The vacancy was created by May’s retirement after the club agreed financial terms with the 34-year-old premiership defender and two-time All-Australian.
May had not been training with the club in recent weeks following a police visit to his house.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to step away and retire from the AFL,” May posted on Instagram late on Sunday.
“It’s an incredibly tough decision to make on the eve of the season, but I know it’s the right one for myself, my family and the team.
“As a kid from Darwin, all I ever wanted was to play one game of AFL. To have lived that dream and had the career I’ve had is something I’ll be forever grateful for.”
May thanked both clubs he played for – Gold Coast and Melbourne – but said the time was right to leave the Demons, who have a new coach and also offloaded premiership stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver in last year’s trade period.
“Right now, the club, Kingy and the boys deserve some clean air and no distractions moving forward, and I wish the lads nothing but success ahead. Very exciting times for our fans,” he wrote.
This masthead reported earlier on Sunday that May was likely to retire after speaking with teammates on Monday.
The Demons announced May’s retirement in a statement on Sunday night, adding that the decision was so he could “focus on his family and his own personal growth”.
Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra thanked May for his contribution to the club.
“We thank Steven for his efforts in the red and blue and the commitment he brought to the club during his time,” Guerra said.
“We’re pleased that Steven has made the decision that, at this stage of his life, stepping away from football to focus on building a positive future for himself and his family is his best path forward.
Steven May with teammate Michael Hibberd after the Demons’ 2021 grand final triumph in Perth.Credit: AFL Photos
“We wish Steven and his family all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.”
With the AFL season set to commence this Thursday night, the Demons and May were anxious to resolve his future.
In the trade period late last year, 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.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn said he and teammates had been “kept in the dark” about May’s intentions over the past four or five weeks while he was absent from the training, but would learn more on Monday morning when he returned to deliver a retirement speech.
Gawn was asked on Triple M if the SSP deadline – which was originally scheduled for February 20 but pushed back to March 3 at the request of clubs – was a factor in the timing of May’s announcement.
“I think it’s all very unusual when a player retires in March,” Gawn said.
Steven May and Max Gawn lead the Demons players out.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m very unaware of situations where you would retire in March until I found out there is a list spot [that can be filled].”
Gawn said the first he and the playing group knew of May’s retirement was when news emerged on Sunday night, followed by a message from May to the players’ WhatsApp group.
Last year the Demons added two players to their list at the 11th hour via the SSP: Jai Culley, who went on to play 16 games for the season, and Jack Henderson (five games).
May began his career at Gold Coast after being drafted as a Northern Territory-zoned player for the inaugural season of the new club. He went on to play 123 games and co-captained the club.
May was traded to Melbourne in 2018 and played 128 games for the Demons, was selected as an All-Australian in 2021 and again in 2022 and was a member of their drought-breaking premiership team in 2021.
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