Gawn Confident in May’s 2026 Return Despite Current Absence
Max Gawn, the captain of the Melbourne Demons, remains optimistic about the potential return of his teammate Steven May. Currently, May is on personal leave and has not attended team training sessions recently.
Steven May’s Current Situation
Steven May, 34, is facing legal challenges alongside Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia. Both players are involved in a criminal case stemming from a brawl in Sorrento, located on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, which occurred late in 2024. Recently, May and Prestia petitioned to have the charges dismissed, claiming they were not present at the incident.
In addition to his legal troubles, May’s home was visited by police last month for reasons that remain undisclosed.
Max Gawn’s Support
Gawn has publicly expressed his support for May during this challenging time. He mentioned that he has reached out to May and is in communication with him but cannot disclose specific details. Gawn emphasized the importance of ensuring that May is healthy and well during his absence from the club.
“He’s on personal leave. That’s really as much as I can give you,” Gawn said. “Hopefully, that all gets worked out at some point.”
May’s Future with the Demons
Steven May is contracted with the Demons until the end of the current season. Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, new coach Steven King suggested that May explore other options. However, with no offers from other teams, May decided to remain with Melbourne.
A key player in Melbourne’s 2021 and 2022 premiership seasons, May has been recognized as an All-Australian player. Gawn remains hopeful that May’s experience and skills can still contribute to the team’s efforts in 2026.
Looking Ahead
When asked about May’s potential return, Gawn said, “Always hopeful. He’s a premiership player and a very, very decent full-back.”
As the 2026 season approaches, the Demons are set to kick off their campaign against St Kilda on March 15 at the MCG. Gawn’s commitment to checking on all players, especially May, reflects his leadership and concern for team members, highlighting the tight-knit culture within the Demons organization.
