Steven May on On The Couch

[Demonland 73,165]

From about 30 mins in.

[mauriesy 7,357]

I love how 3 minutes from the end of the Grand Final, with a 60 point lead, he's still admonishing Petracca for not taking the right position.

Edited May 9, 2022 by mauriesy

[ElDiablo14 5,002]

May was very eloquent and straightforward in all his responses. Great to see the strong connection and love for the club from our players.

[DeeZone 10,146]

How honest and open is Steven May very comfortable in his own skin. Our General down back.!!!

[pineapple dee 2,892]

I went to training at Gosch's for what would have been Lever's 2nd session with the club and was amazed with how he was  interacting with, guiding, encouraging and urging his teammates.

He had leadership written all over him !

With May by his side, you would expect nothing less than what we've seen develop over the last 3 years in our backline.

The standards with them there are sky high and when they leave, there is every expectation that the younger defenders' play  will reflect their experience of playing alongside these two stars.

 

[Sydee 4,529]

Steven's come a long way since joining the MFC - I'm very happy for him as he is now playing to the standard he is capable of.

It has come through hard work and discipline and it tells me that the club has developed a great culture and has some excellent coaches - long may that continue 

[ElDiablo14 5,002]

We are definitely blessed with many leaders down and up the field.

Gawny, Trac, May, Lever, Viney, Angus.

Each with their unique style of leadership.

[Lord Travis 10,763]

Always refreshing to hear him speak as he's so honest and open in a time when players and coaches are trined to straight bat every question. 

He's a ripper and is having another brilliant season. Thank god we had him down there as a rock in defence with all the other injuries early on.

[Deeoldfart 8,066]

Maysie is always articulate, open and honest in his interviews.  Much the same way as he plays his football in some ways.  You always know what you will get.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,307]

47 minutes ago, pineapple dee said:

I went to training at Gosch's for what would have been Lever's 2nd session with the club and was amazed with how he was  interacting with, guiding, encouraging and urging his teammates.

He had leadership written all over him !

With May by his side, you would expect nothing less than what we've seen develop over the last 3 years in our backline.

The standards with them there are sky high and when they leave, there is every expectation that the younger defenders' play  will reflect their experience of playing alongside these two stars.

 

Yep you can already see it rubbing off on Petty during games, directing traffic around him. Invaluable to have that kind of onfield leadership.

Edited May 10, 2022 by Dr. Gonzo

[Lord Travis 10,763]

Also loved him "spoiling" Z. Jones to even the ledger after his tunnelling of Langdon. You'd [censored] yourself with May in your area. Imagine standing under a high ball with him coming at you 😆

[tiers 2,843]

Were these leadership traits apparent when he was recruited? At the time my impression from the media was that he was a bit undisciplined and wayward. Good coaching does make a difference.

We are very fortunate to have such open and well spoken leaders and ambassadors in Gawn, Brayshaw, Petracca, McDonald, May and Lever who make us feel proud of our playing group and our club.

[Lord Travis 10,763]

Just now, tiers said:

Were these leadership traits apparent when he was recruited? At the time my impression from the media was that he was a bit undisciplined and wayward. Good coaching does make a difference.

We are very fortunate to have such open and well spoken leaders and ambassadors in Gawn, Brayshaw, Petracca, McDonald, May and Lever who make us feel proud of our playing group and our club.

He was captain of Gold Coast, so yes he was already a leader when we recruited him. He's definitely improved since coming to MFC and maturing further though.

[Adam The God 30,423]

I really like the framing of playing a back 3 and a back 4 in front of them. So any of the back three can hand over to each other and any of the front 4 can hand over to each other.

I've noticed Bowey playing the back of stoppages like Salem does, but Jake is doing such a good job, I wonder if it'll be a case of having both of them roll through that quarterback role at tue back of stoppage when Salem returns. It makes us so much harder to plan against having another elite ball user that can sit at the back off the stoppage.

[tincan 171]

1 hour ago, mauriesy said:

I love how 3 minutes from the end of the Grand Final, with a 60 point lead, he's still admonishing Petracca for not taking the right position.

As someone pointed out on SEN this morning - May is berating players as we are about to win a Premiership, but David Noble has to apologise to North players for yelling at them and upsetting them after another embarassing loss... haha

Edited May 10, 2022 by tincan

[tincan 171]

38 minutes ago, tiers said:

Were these leadership traits apparent when he was recruited? At the time my impression from the media was that he was a bit undisciplined and wayward. Good coaching does make a difference.

We are very fortunate to have such open and well spoken leaders and ambassadors in Gawn, Brayshaw, Petracca, McDonald, May and Lever who make us feel proud of our playing group and our club.

Most of that was media beat up and the club defended him strongly at the time.

For example, he was criticized for being caught 'drinking in a pub' when all he did was have one beer after breaking up with his girlfriend.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,942]

Brilliant interview with May. As per usual.

Really liking that the key motivation for this year if for the boys to win a flag at the G in front of their family/friends/MFC faithful.

Langdon also mentioned it in this article today:

https://www.afl.com.au/news/758220/staying-grounded-dees-secret-weapon-on-coffee-side-hustle-all-aus-chances

I kind of feel as though it gets missed a bit around her on how unfortunate it was for the Victorian based faithful who went in week week out for 20, 30 or 40 years to then miss out on the biggest day of their MFC supporting lives.

[tiers 2,843]

45 minutes ago, A F said:

I really like the framing of playing a back 3 and a back 4 in front of them. So any of the back three can hand over to each other and any of the front 4 can hand over to each other.

 

A team with no weaknesses and no gaps. Each plays his role on any given day.

[jnrmac 20,189]

I can't think of a better or more impressive trade into our club that Steven May in the past 50 years. He is an absolute rock.

When we changed our recruiting after Prendergast and started looking for fierce competitors we started getting guys like Viney, Lever, Tracc, Oliver, Langdon and May

Outstanding individuals.

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

Goes to show that being successful is as much as having leadership onfield  in addition to the coaches box. 

Standards  have to be driven by the playing group alone and not demanded by the coaches. If it is then you are not top 4 material and hence have a slim chance at a premiership.

This is why I think the Lions are the only other real challenger this year. Freo are building and will probably get to a PF but not further. Blues, Cats and Swans will get exposed in finals footy.

[Maldonboy38 6,406]

Interesting what he said about Bowey, how he has become a stoppage specialist at such a young age. The more I think about it, the more I see how accurate this is. 

May is the classic example of not needing a position or a title to be a leader. I love his straight talking, and bare faced honesty about himself but most of all I love the aggressive way he plays. he wants to be physically intimidating in every contest he enters. He could play in any era and be outstanding. 

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

I have it on good authority that right after the incident May told Z.Jones he was going to do it as well. which is what the words were that were exchanged. geez you'd be sweating going for a mark knowing Steven May was lining you up. 

[Jaded No More 68,974]

One of my favourite players. Honest, brutal, perfectionist, heart on sleeve, will die for his teammates. Absolute star and a massive reason why we are where we are as a footy club. 

[Lucifers Hero 40,365]

6 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

One of my favourite players. Honest, brutal, perfectionist, heart on sleeve, will die for his teammates. Absolute star and a massive reason why we are where we are as a footy club. 

I'll add handsome with an impish grin to his qualities.☺️

[Jaded No More 68,974]

11 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I'll add handsome with an impish grin to his qualities.☺️

Yeah he is definitely handsome, and at 29 it's not even creepy for me to comment on because he's not that much younger than me 😁