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Live sport this Sunday on SNDemon defender in hot water following major collision with Carlton's Evans
SEN • July 20th, 2025 12:37 pm
Melbourne’s veteran defender Steven May could find himself sidelined for multiple weeks following a head-high collision on Carlton’s Francis Evans.
The incident occurred as a stray ball inside 50 fell between the two players, with both taking a direct line of attack on the football. As the ball bounced back into the path of Evans, May found himself second to the contest.
Failing to slow in his attack, May's shoulder connected directly with the head of the Carlton forward. Evans, who lost a tooth in the collision, was substituted from the game with concussion, blood streaming from his face.
Immediately following the contest in Carlton’s forward half, Fox Footy’s Jason Dunstall stated that although May had a clear endeavour to attack the football, his inability to adjust late on may significantly cost him.
“He didn’t lift the arm, he was desperate to go for the ball, he put the hands down from the ball,” Dunstall said.
“These days, you probably have to step out of the way.”
Speaking post-game, Fox Footy presenters Jack Riewoldt and David King agreed that the hit – given the outcome and the outcome-based rulings of the MRO across recent weeks – could see the defender ruled out with suspension for an extended period of time.
“I think it’s unfortunate Steven May’s collected him high, but if you come in with that sort of velocity there … the collision was inevitable,” Riewoldt said post game.
“Steven May has a duty of care when Francis Evans has the ball there. For me, this will go to the Tribunal — and it’s how hard, or how big a penalty they want to give Steven May.
“If they rank it severe, it could be anywhere from four to five weeks.”
“My view is, you’ve got to come at it from the victim’s point of view. What are we asking Evans to do?” King said.
“He’s entitled to go at the ball in that fashion, and the game is supposed to protect him - that’s what we’ve been preaching.
“I don’t have any empathy (for May) really in this instance, I think he knew he was going to make contact.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the last time we see Steven May this season.”
Fox Footy’s David Zita also questioned the intention of Steven May, citing that the manner of his attack on the football is likely to see him sent directly to the Tribunal.
“This is a really interesting test case for Michael Christian, in a year full of them,” Zita said.
“If he has elected to bump, then it’s gone. That’s done. But even if he hasn’t ‘elected’ to bump, if he is contesting the ball, is it reasonable for him to contest the ball in that way? That’s what the MRO’s going to have to weigh up.
“It might be a sleepless night (for Michael Christian). If he hasn’t (elected to bump), he’s missing at least three weeks and potentially more, depending on what the AFL wants to try and push for at the Tribunal.
“Once it is reportable, then it’s automatically three weeks at least because of the outcome with Francis Evans.
“What we’ve learnt this season, and in seasons past, is that particular way to approach a contest is not really something permitted in the rules or by the MRO.”
Regardless of the directive handed down by the MRO, Steven May will be ruled out of the Demon’s Round 20 clash with St Kilda due to a concussion suffered in the latter stages of their loss to the Blues.
