I’d leave it up to May. If he wants to look around, great, find a deal that works and we can pull the trigger,

If he wants to stay, equally great, we’ll see him at Pre Season training.

He has his warts but he is a valuable teacher of the younger players.

31 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Think it through and you will see where it is originating, in respect to a 34 year old at the start of next season, who can’t bend down and has lost all pace.

A great player for us, but time catches up to all players except Pendlebury.

I know. Just get a bit tired of all the trade talk about players out but never players in.

55 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

This belongs in Media Madness. I suppose media nuffs will have Kossie back on the trade table next.

What! Where did you hear that?!

😜

He can take his mate Lever too. Both too slow and fumbly now, both are great at finger pointing and mouthing off to teammates, then next play stuff up themselves.

Both great servants of the club, but time to move on.

Mentioned elsewhere lock in Petty and Turner down back for the next 5 years.

18 minutes ago, JJJ said:

I’d leave it up to May. If he wants to look around, great, find a deal that works and we can pull the trigger,

If he wants to stay, equally great, we’ll see him at Pre Season training.

He has his warts but he is a valuable teacher of the younger players.

Mmmm. I used to have a maths teacher back in the 80s like that.

Give me Nev Jetta any day

Win win

We are stacked for key defenders, potentially getting another in Derksen and Petty may move back to.

We need currency for a windhager type, if we get a 2nd rounder for this it's good business.

12 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

I know. Just get a bit tired of all the trade talk about players out but never players in.

Fair enough Clint.

I know he is no Sam Taylor, but let’s start that bunch of ins with Wade Derksen and add Oscar Berry, Kalani White and Toby Sinemma as fresh blood to the list.

Hopefully a bigger name or two can be added later and maybe a couple more pacy skilful draftees.

18 minutes ago, JJJ said:

He has his warts but he is a valuable teacher of the younger players.

Valuable in terms of defensive positioning etc but a poor leader in terms of attitude

The little proper article is purely speculative with zero accountability to it - just wild guessing

54 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

I think May has been pivotal to our defence over the years. Possibly wears heart on his sleeve but has been a determined Demon.

But ...he goes, he goes. Go well.

Too soon to ask what is a reasonable return ? What is actually possible?

I also feel he is not suited to the current trend of more dynamic and athletic defenders. There is less one-one contested battles and more all around covering space, which May is not capable of doing.

Straight swap for ugle hagen we take all the risk in that trade but the upside could be huge if he can pull his head in

26 minutes ago, Bates Mate said:

Dogs would have been better off to target tmac. But we locked him in. So much better then May this year and looks after his body id back him to squeeze in another season after the next one as well.all silly season speculation

Yep above all else I think his body has not been right for quite a few years now and his agility and speed has suffered.

He has been an incredible pillar in our defence over the years but it's time to revitalise our defence.

4 minutes ago, brendan said:

Straight swap for ugle hagen we take all the risk in that trade but the upside could be huge if he can pull his head in

If 🤔🤔🤔🤔

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

dazzle, love that you give us footy snippets but for those of us that don't subscribe to the respective websites/social media platforms can you please give key points of the story!

TIA

I finally found a paywall thing that works all the time. The article ie speculative but here’s the key points:

-Beveridge needs a May type (would probably prefer Lever even with a disappointing 2025– bc he’s younger I assume)

-Quote from article: “May is 33 and didn’t exactly do himself any favours over the last few rounds where he played like he was 63 but would the carrot of a joining a contender – who desperately needs height, experience and mongrel in its key defensive post – revitalise the two-time All-Australian?”

-won’t move Naughton down back bc he’s performed well as a forward this year and Lobb’s “needs the freedom of being an interceptor”

-JSOS also linked to the Dogs, but not what they need.

It’s a longer article but as I said, it’s pretty speculative.

Edited Monday at 22:561 day by 710 Asbury St
Add close quotation marks

10 minutes ago, brendan said:

Straight swap for ugle hagen we take all the risk in that trade but the upside could be huge if he can pull his head in

No chance

JUH will be out of the system entirely in 2026

Edited Monday at 22:581 day by whatwhat say what

1 hour ago, chookrat said:

This much is obvious re what another club shouldndo but makes no sense re what it does for our list. Why would we trade out May to Dogs so that they can have a tilt at a flag if it doesn't help us. Its like saying Dogs should trade Sam Darcy to Melbiurne because Melbourne need a key forward. Journos sre a bunch of flops.

Personally if we can get a decent return a trade to the dogs could be a win win.

They need a KPD to take the oppo's key forward (Lobb is a decent zone off intercepor but rubbish one on one) and have enough fast defenders to offset May's major weakness - his lack of pace.

And we need some players with above average foot skills and good pace, and need some draft capital to get a decent one via the draft (i doubt they'll give up such a player as that's robbing Peter to pay Paul).

Going forward I have more confidence in Tmac as a key defender (is May going why we re-signed tmac?) but we can't play him and may in the same side - both are too slow.

And we have a ready made replacement for May - Petty. I think it's clear pett's best position is key defender and he'll slot right into May's position if May leaves (potentiallyat TMac's expense but he'll know Casey is a possibility whereas I can't see May being cool with playing twos).

Best FB I have seen at the Dees, and a pivotal part of our defense that was the best in the league for 3-5 years. Lots of rumours around hinting that he has run his race at the Dees. He is one step slower, but no way do I want him gone. He can still play the gorilla role and we have no-one near his size and bulk to take his place. One more year please.

10 minutes ago, 710 Asbury St said:

I finally found a paywall thing that works all the time. The article ie speculative but here’s the key points:

-Beveridge needs a May type (would probably prefer Lever even with a disappointing 2025– bc he’s younger I assume)

-Quote from article: “May is 33 and didn’t exactly do himself any favours over the last few rounds where he played like he was 63 but would the carrot of a joining a contender – who desperately needs height, experience and mongrel in its key defensive post – revitalise the two-time All-Australian?”

-won’t move Naughton down back bc he’s performed well as a forward this year and Lobb’s “needs the freedom of being an interceptor”

-JSOS also linked to the Dogs, but not what they need.

It’s a longer article but as I said, it’s pretty speculative.

So May is slow old rubbish, but just what the dogs need to win a flag.

Must be a slow news day at the Hun.

5 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Best FB I have seen at the Dees, and a pivotal part of our defense that was the best in the league for 3-5 years. Lots of rumours around hinting that he has run his race at the Dees. He is one step slower, but no way do I want him gone. He can still play the gorilla role and we have no-one near his size and bulk to take his place. One more year please.

Petty can take his place.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

For anyone still wondering, the “more than likely” gone quote is click bait. The actual quote from the article is:

“While he’s contracted for 2026 at Melbourne, it’s more than likely he will be a victim of a list shake-up under the new incoming coach given there will be a thirst for change and May has enough crosses next to his name to be an easy cut.”

Just speculation from the journalist, Scott Gullan.

2 hours ago, Mickey said:

A quick google search of 'Steven May Trade' seems to indicate the author thinks the Bulldogs should trade May in.

So is this based on anything or just what the author reckons the dogs should do?

30 minutes ago, brendan said:

Straight swap for ugle hagen we take all the risk in that trade but the upside could be huge if he can pull his head in

Appears well beyond capable of pulling his head in.

I reckon May and Bevo would have some proper old-fashioned run ins

What really annoys me is people write off our defenders like May, sure he isnt going to be like he was in 21, but if you watch that last qtr vs the filth he got to many contests and spoiled well and won quite a number of them.

And, and I can not ever stress this enough, when the ball is coming in with ZERO pressure and open spaces, you do better!

May has a lot to offer, I'd be miffed if we trade him.

Turner is half the player, Adams might be good, who knows he has played one game, Petty is too slow to play the bigs and smalls that May does.

The best thing they can do with May is take kick in duties off him (long and to the left anyone?)

6 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

What really annoys me is people write off our defenders like May, sure he isnt going to be like he was in 21, but if you watch that last qtr vs the filth he got to many contests and spoiled well and won quite a number of them.

And, and I can not ever stress this enough, when the ball is coming in with ZERO pressure and open spaces, you do better!

May has a lot to offer, I'd be miffed if we trade him.

Turner is half the player, Adams might be good, who knows he has played one game, Petty is too slow to play the bigs and smalls that May does.

The best thing they can do with May is take kick in duties off him (long and to the left anyone?)

He also had some clangers leading to goals.
I dont imagine he'd be on a lot of coin in 2026, nor would we get much for a trade.
I am on the fence about this one.

May is 33, almost 34.

I am not sure how long people expected him to keep his pace and agility? Melksham and Tmac are significantly slower now, and Tmac is doing well because he's playing on big bodied slower forwards, whereas we are still expecting May to play on Elliot and Gunston.

Time to board the reality bus and understand that Gawn is a rare freak, but that most players as they age lose pace and reaction time. It's a bit harsh to hang him for it.

Now if culturally he is a problem, then that's a different story, but he's still a very solid one on one defender, and if he goes into next season playing on big bodied gorillas, rather than being asked to play on speedy medium forwards, then he will still provide a solid contribution.