Demons Challenge Steven May Suspension Amid AFL Tribunal Controversy
So here’s what’s happening in the AFL world right now, and it’s stirring up quite the conversation. Melbourne has officially decided to appeal the AFL Tribunal's decision to suspend Steven May for three matches following his controversial clash with Carlton's Francis Evans. The collision, which took place during the Blues' narrow eight-point win at the MCG, has quickly become one of the most talked-about incidents of the round.
To give you some context—May was referred directly to the tribunal after the incident was classified as careless, with severe impact and high contact. The result? Evans ended up with a concussion, a broken nose, and a chipped tooth. Despite May pleading not guilty and his legal team arguing he was simply playing the ball, the tribunal sided with the prosecution. After a 90-minute deliberation, the three-person panel ruled that May could’ve and should’ve adjusted his approach before impact.
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Now, here's the part that has everyone in footy circles debating. Melbourne’s general manager of football, Alan Richardson, said they felt their initial case was strong. According to him, May’s only intention was to contest the ball fairly, and they believe he acted reasonably given the chaos of the moment. They’ve since taken expert legal advice and feel compelled to challenge the suspension. Their appeal is set to be heard by the AFL appeals board next week.
What complicates matters is the tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson’s assessment. He pointed to biomechanics evidence showing that while May had just over half a second between the final bounce and the hit, he still had enough time to make a decision to lessen or avoid the collision—if not react to the final bounce, then at least adjust his positioning beforehand. It’s a fine line, and that’s the part making this situation so controversial.
Interestingly, May himself was also concussed in the same match. In his testimony, he explained that the ball had taken an unpredictable bounce, and that based on its previous movement, he genuinely believed he’d get there first. He described the moment as shocking, saying he did everything he thought was right but just couldn’t get clean possession.
This case really raises questions about how intent, reaction time, and split-second decisions are judged in a sport that’s already as physical and fast-paced as AFL. The appeal might not just affect May’s suspension—it could have broader implications for how future on-field collisions are viewed and handled by the league.
We'll be watching closely as the Demons head to the appeals board, because this isn’t just about one player or one match—it’s about where the AFL draws the line between fair play and dangerous conduct in real time.
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