May absent from Melbourne training after police visit

Melbourne defender Steven May’s short-term playing future is under a cloud after missing training on Wednesday to deal with a personal matter.

The Demons hit the track at Gosch’s Paddock on Wednesday morning after a four-day break, but May was absent. The club confirmed May was visited by police at his house last week.

“The Melbourne Football Club is aware that Victoria Police attended the home of Steven May last week,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday evening. “The club is not in a position to comment at this stage.”

The club did not say when May will return to train but any training setback this deep into the pre-season will jeopardise his chances of selection for the Demons’ pre-season matches and the start of the home and away season.

The latest episode continues a turbulent period for May, who is in the final season of his contract. The 33-year-old was told by the Demons to look for another club during last year’s trade period but did not find a new home.

May was involved in a heated on-field exchange with captain Max Gawn immediately after the final siren in a one-point loss to Collingwood on King’s Birthday last year.

The Demons have undergone significant change on and off the field after missing the finals in 2024-25, parting ways with key figures from their drought-busting premiership in 2021.

Former coach Simon Goodwin was sacked with three games to go last season despite having a year to go on his contract, and was replaced by the untried Steven King.

The Dees also traded out club greats Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, leaving King with less baggage from the previous era as he embarked on his senior coaching career.

At his best, May was one of the premier key defenders in the league, but his form dropped away significantly late last season.

May and Richmond premiership player Dion Prestia are fighting charges stemming from a brawl in Sorrento in December 2024. The pair, who have proclaimed their innocence, say they were not present and want the charges withdrawn.

May has been charged on summons with affray.

They will face Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20.

Veterans Jake Melksham and Christian Salem and recruit Changkuoth Jiath were limited to running laps during a match-simulation session.

Jack Viney did even less as he battles Achilles soreness.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn is bullish about the Demons’ prospects, saying he is confident the club would not only make the top 10 but challenge for the flag.

“We’re confident we can go the whole way,” Gawn told Triple M on Wednesday morning.

“Not one person has tipped us but, to be fair, that usually goes well for us.”

Gawn joked he made a similarly bold prediction in 2013.

The Demons won two games that year and finished 17th, above only Greater Western Sydney, who were in their second season, and coach Mark Neeld was sacked.

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