If May goes does that mean Petty plays back? I want Adams to be good enough but in reality is he? He was decent against a potent Dogs attack and that’s all we’ve seen at the level. His Casey form has warranted him 1 AFL game, hardly a glowing endorsement for a guy some expect to replace one of the great fullbacks.

12 hours ago, Demon Forever said:

I have been told the bulldogs were angling for Jed Adams as they knew he was May's successor. Open conversations with Adams and melbourne led to melbourne promising more time to Adams and hence May is the offset of these conversations.

From what I heard. Something that is not in the media atm. Bulldogs met with Jed Adams and asked if he would join. Melbourne got wind of it and promised Jed senior time next year which meant May be in this position.

Re Adam's I loved that his first ever AFL disposal was a torp straight up the middle from a kick out.

9 hours ago, lorn said:

Is Jed Adams good enough to play at AFL level?

Thought his VFL finals showed promise.

6 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

If May goes does that mean Petty plays back? I want Adams to be good enough but in reality is he? He was decent against a potent Dogs attack and that’s all we’ve seen at the level. His Casey form has warranted him 1 AFL game, hardly a glowing endorsement for a guy some expect to replace one of the great fullbacks.

Im suspecting in this new incarnation of a defence that we ought not necessarily assume Adams would be FB.. but a defender in a unit.

Lots of things to play out next year. I suppose first is to see who is on our list.

Go us 😉

May has had a good year but not the super consistent high standard we are used to for the $ he is paid. Supporters quickly assume he has dropped off the cliff due to age. Maybe he had a few injuries and form issue to overcome and has a few more years left in him. I think its the later

The Melbourne Demons look set to prioritise youth as they embark on a new era under the leadership of Steven King, so 33-year-old Steven May has been advised to look for a new club.

With a year to run on his contract, the Demons will have to delist and pay May out if they want to shift him off the books, but what opportunities are there for him?

May has played 128 times for Melbourne since joining ahead of the 2019 season after 123 outings for Gold Coast where he was co-captain. He is also a two-time All-Australian and 2021 premiership player.

He will turn 34 ahead of the 2026 season.

So where does he stand to be in a few months from now?

SEN's David King believes the Western Bulldogs would benefit from May's presence, even if they have said they are not interested.

"I don’t mind this type of player," David King said on SEN's Fireball when asked about May's future. "Everyone says he’s a bad egg but he's been a high level competitor and performer.

"I don't mind the fact this guy has been tipped out. He will be angry next year, wherever he plays.

"Maybe no one takes a risk on him but you want to make sure you have got better at your disposal than Steven May.

"I'm looking at the Dogs and their back six needs something. I don’t know if they have someone else in mind. I want to see who they can get but May is someone I think could help their back six."

Amid seemingly relentless reports that players are wanting out of the current deals either in pursuit of a "better club" or more money, King and Kane Cornes debated the issue of clubs regaining some power and having the ability to push talent out.

"I think outside looking in it’s seen as a shock, but I think players would know," King said.

"They will have been advised multiple times particularly back-half of the year that they're on the edge and that there’s no guarantees.

"Whether it’s age related, form related or just the fact the club’s going a different direction, I think it’s ok to have those conversations.

"They have their contracts and they get their money. Whether they get another opportunity or not at another club, it’s good to give them that chance and to get your manager active.

"I think it’s a good, honest sensible conversation."

1 hour ago, Demons11 said:

They were saying on SEN yesterday that May would be on $800-$850k surely he still wouldn’t be earning this amount of money?

He certainly wouldn't at a well run club with a sensible approach to contract lengths and amounts. We're not one of those clubs, so it is entirely possible.

15 hours ago, layzie said:

This is about giving May the chance to explore his options.

I think this is more of a kick out the door than that.

13 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

In King, out May.

Evening the Stevens?

2 minutes ago, The Jackson FIX said:

I think this is more of a kick out the door than that.

I read it that way too.

I suspect Steve has been aware for some time.

There's the possibility than the change in regime has altered things a little .. timing/intensity... perhaps , but something seemed scrawled on the wall.

Possibly nothing set in stone.... but the work orders might be written.

As they say... in the fullness of time.

4 minutes ago, The Jackson FIX said:

I think this is more of a kick out the door than that.

How many teams would want to shell out $800k for a guy who will be 34 next year?

A kick out the door would be paying what they owe him and cutting him.

1 minute ago, beelzebub said:

I suspect Steve has been aware for some time.

Me too, from his exit interview I’d say he was invited to explore his options. And probably not much progress has been made so the club has decided to push things along.

7 minutes ago, layzie said:

How many teams would want to shell out $800k for a guy who will be 34 next year?

A kick out the door would be paying what they owe him and cutting him.

Or we are signalling that we are willing to fund a fair chunk of his salary in ‘26 in any move.

10 minutes ago, layzie said:

How many teams would want to shell out $800k for a guy who will be 34 next year?

A kick out the door would be paying what they owe him and cutting him.

A club might restructure the contract and pay $600k pa for two years which benefits May with the extra year he reportedly wants and an extra $400K. Win/Win.

Of course, there are multiple variations of that concept.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Lucifers Hero

Just now, The Jackson FIX said:

Or we are signalling that we are willing to fund a fair chunk of his salary in ‘26 in any move.

Maybe, maybe.

I don't think there's that much between the tea leaves though. They told him to explore his options and now that has been reported in media. Yes it could be a ploy to move things along but it could also just be another classic leak.

We'll know soon enough.

We own David King a dinner voucher for the local Pub. Doing our marketing for us!

3 hours ago, rpfc said:

It is life and death being a forward.

So May was a forward as a teenager…

It’s a nerve and you hit it - that’s all.

For any kids watching out there - I don’t care if you’re tall and can take a mark there is far more to being a forward than that.

Dont wanr to poke the bear, but history suggests otherwise. :)

If you can take 4 marks + a game youll likely have a decent career as an afl ket forward. If you drop below this number, you're struggling. Very few key forwards over the past 30 years fall outside these parameters. Its generally all about the marks.

But you may be right, maybe May would have struggled at FF, the disappointing aspect was he was never even tried. Water under the bridge now.

Too many infield and offfield issues

2 hours ago, Demons11 said:

They were saying on SEN yesterday that May would be on $800-$850k surely he still wouldn’t be earning this amount of money?

I think surely he would and that is part of the equation.

His contract was extended when he was one of our best.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by Redleg

He came to us on 800-850k surely we are paying much less nowadays....600-650 at a guess...34, not like we are having to pay more to drag him from his club. Be gobsmacked if he was on those higher figures...and we would be foolish to pay those reported amounts!

5 minutes ago, Redleg said:

I think surely he would and that is part of the equation.

His contract was extended when he was one of our best.

No he signed a 2 year extension in Feb ‘23 for the 24 and 25 seasons.

Then last trade period as so many of our senior players either looked around and/or got extensions he tacked on an extra year for 2026.

If that 26 year was still paying him overs for past glory (after a down 2024) we’d be a laughing stock. Can’t rule it out obviously but it shouldn’t be crazy money.

17 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Excellent point 👉

....and perhaps just hang up the boots ?? 🤔🤷‍♂️

Wish hiim well in whatever direction he goes.

I can't see him retiring given the fact that his salary is still on our books.

Straight swap for JUH?

Same wages

35 minutes ago, SthSea22 said:

Straight swap for JUH?

Same wages

I see this as the new coach putting his stamp on the place, specifically in regards to behavior and attitude. Sking is showing the list (inc May) that no one is protected and there are new standards in place.

I don't think this is actually about getting rid of May but more around standards. It may well be too late for a trade to get worked out, though Melbourne would be foolish not to get his salary off the books for someone younger that doesn't abuse the Club Captain on the field.

You'd think the Bombers would have some salary cap free (do they have a list?), they need some help down back (and up forward, and in the midfield, and in the medical room) and they have picks.

12 hours ago, Adam The God said:

Yes.

100% agree.

But I think a key factor to support Adams to thrive is Petty going back and taking the oppo's best key forward freeing Adams up to play Lever's zone off interceptor role.

Adams is an excellent kick, better than Lever, so if we can get him intercepting around the half back line and settimg up transition chains.