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The AFL Appeal Board deliver verdict on Steven May's lengthy ban
SEN • July 28th, 2025 8:43 pm
Melbourne has been unsuccessful in their attempt to overturn a three-match ban handed to key defender Steven May, following a hearing in front of the AFL Appeal Board on Monday night.
May was handed a three-match ban at the AFL Tribunal last Wednesday night for his bump on Carlton’s Francis Evans, with the suspension being upheld after a short deliberation.
The star defender was sent straight to the Tribunal by Match Review Officer Michael Christian after Evans was concussed after being collected high during a contest in Carlton’s Saturday night win at the MCG.
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.
The MRO graded the incident careless, with severe impact and high contact, meaning the defender was facing a minimum of a three-week suspension if found guilty.
Fronting the Tribunal last Wednesday night, May and Melbourne contended that his action was not unreasonable in the circumstances and was a football action. The Tribunal instead sided with the rough conduct charge, arguing that May breached his duty of care and should have changed his momentum or trajectory to not collide with Evans.
Facing the Appeal Board on Monday, Melbourne argued that the Tribunal's decision was an error of law, as no reasonable player can predict the bounce of an oblong ball, suggesting that the decision abandoned common sense.
The Appeal Board rejected this theory, citing the extensive hearing and comprehensive reasoning at the Tribunal was enough to come to a reasonable conclusion.
Having already missed Melbourne’s contest with St Kilda, May will remain sidelined for two further weeks, missing both West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.
