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Live sport on SN this weekendExclusive: Melbourne under fire for “concerning” conduct
Tom Morris • April 3rd, 2026 4:07 pm
The conduct of Melbourne Football Club senior leaders is under the microscope following a phone hook-up on February 5 which involved the girlfriends and wives of players.
The TEAMS meeting, which commenced at 7:30pm, was framed as an introductory session for partners of players to meet CEO Paul Guerra, coach Steven King, and footy boss Alan Richardson to address "a matter that impacts the football program".
There were approximately 15 partners on the call, but no psychologists or welfare officers.
A whistleblower who was on the call has claimed confidentiality obligations were breached regarding Steve May and his partner Sachi Dade’s personal situation, along with the sharing of inappropriate and inaccurate legal information.
SEN understands senior officials such as Tom Harley at the AFL and James Gallagher at the AFL Players’ Association are aware of concerns around the phone hook-up, which lasted approximately 20 minutes.
The AFLPA believed it was serious enough to refer the matter to the AFL following a complaint. The league has since referred it to Melbourne but has remained in close contact with the Demons as they navigate it behind closed doors.
Following a brief introduction, the meeting quickly pivoted into a discussion regarding premiership player May (who was on personal leave at the time) and his partner, Sachi Dade.
The situation related to a welfare check conducted at a private residence on January 29.
No charges were laid and the matter is now resolved, Victoria Police confirmed to SEN.
“This catch up was on the back of a conversation with some leaders in the wake of what’s happened with Maysie,” Richardson told attendees about the reason for the TEAMS call.
“They thought it would be good to catch up.
“What we do know is last Thursday the police were called to the family home.
“It was a combination of a welfare check because Sachi was concerned a bit about Steve, because he’s had some challenges. But clearly there’d been some challenges between Steve and Sachi. That’s pretty clear.
“There’s a lot of work to be done. Steven has agreed to do some personal growth work.”
SEN has chosen not to publish all of what was said, since some of the material is legally sensitive, personal, and unverified.
Disclosing delicate information in a forum of individuals with no contractual obligation to the club prompted a complaint to be made to the AFLPA, with the AFL then included in discussions at a high level.
“Can we all just make sure we keep this information to ourselves?” Richardson said in the meeting at one point.
“The reason that this is a little bit unusual – I don’t think I’ve ever done this before – we’ve had issues with Clayton (Oliver) and the like. Is that this is involving a partner.”
A source present on the call said: “It raises serious questions about whether the club understands or respects even the most basic standards of privacy and duty of care.”
The whistleblower, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, continued: “What is particularly concerning is that this disclosure did not occur in a controlled or necessary environment, but rather in a broadly attended group call that had been framed as a routine and welcoming introduction.”
SEN has obtained a text message sent from a Demons staff member to partners the night before, inviting them to the TEAMS chat.
“Hi all, I’m reaching out to invite you to join an online meeting with Paul Guerra (CEO), Steven King (Head Coach), & Alan Richardson (GM of Football Performance) tomorrow night at 7.30pm.
“They would like to introduce themselves and also have a conversation surrounding a matter that impacts the football program, and we want to ensure you are kept across the information as best we can.”
The source said: “There was no warning that such a delicate matter would be discussed, nor any opportunity to consent to being part of that potentially triggering conversation.
“A situation that should have been carefully managed instead became a platform for the dissemination of non-factual and highly sensitive information, with no apparent regard for the personal, legal or reputational implications for Steven, Sachi or their daughter.”
Guerra also spoke, declaring: “This (the May situation) will not be swept under the carpet.”
“We need to understand that our objective is that we have people living to the standards we want that work and operate inside the Melbourne Football Club… That’s everybody. If they can’t then we will have conversations with them about what that may look like for them going forward.”
King added: “I want our football club to be a welcoming place where everyone can come. Character is obviously a massive part of my values and what I look for in footballers and people as well… It’s really important we address with you tonight the Maysie stuff.”
Despite what appears to be well-intentioned by the club, some on the call have described the meeting as “deeply inappropriate”.
“They made him (May) sound guilty without any of the facts,” the source continued.
“Melbourne shared private and confidential information in a non-controlled, obviously not confidential setting. It was a group call. It felt totally inappropriate. You could feel how taken off-guard everyone was. Nobody was prepared to hear that information.”
Melbourne was contacted for comment.
