Players have punch ons all the time - at all clubs - and will continue to do so as long as they have testosterone in their young, cashed up bogan brains. It's no big deal. Having a drink with a meal is not going to affect the state of May's concussion in any significant way. Sticking too rigidly to any made-up rule is foolish. This is such an over-reaction. May and Melky are still good mates. Why should a momentary rush of blood mistake punish the whole tribe! You need a nuanced approach to all forms of justice.
There are far more effective ways to discipline May - a massive fine, community service, get May to talking with the whole team, pledging to do better, counselling and so many more sensible, mature options. Suspension is incredibly dispropotionate for a momentary lapse. May has made great contributions as a leader and role model on and off the field for years now at the Dees - he's been a great indigenous role model, he captained an AFL club for years ... and what gets the most attention? A brief spat in a restaurant.
Don't punish the whole team, club and all the supporters by dropping the player we've been missing the most!
The assumption that a suspension to May is inevitable is narrow-minded, inflexible and illogical. The coaching staff and leadership group need to question their own out-dated system of player guidance. This sort of Primary School teacher - head prefects/leadership group, "young boys won't behave unless you smack them hard", holier than thou - think we're doing the difficult but right thing (when you're doing the opposite on both counts) - punishment is illogical, psychologically flawed and doesn't actually work. Did a total of 23 weeks suspensions turn Dermott Brereton into an angel overnight? May is 30. Do you expect him to change dramatically because of this one week suspension? The penalty may sounds tough, disciplined and "professional" to people that don't examine it fully - people who are comfortable with simplistic approaches to human psychology, who say things like "culture starts at the top", "there's no choice - he has to be suspended". It's simplistic and lazy thinking. This suspension is counter-productive in so many ways. May would play a blinder on QB - to redeem himself - in front of a big crowd and TV audience. Then you'd see him move on, with his head held higher and be energised to do better on and off the field. Now he just stews for a fortnight - having been already effectively 'suspended' for 2 weeks by an accidental concussion. Your consigning him to 5 weeks between games.
Has anyone contemplated the fact that concussion can lead to irrational behaviour? We need to discipline him and work with him in a much more considered, mature and professional way. He's a tough, commited player and a decent guy - but human, like us all. He lost his temper. I lose my temper more than I lose my sunglasses or umbrella!
And imagine if the leadership group re-asses their decision and come up with a better plan for Steven - and the Pies hear May is free to play now. Let's turn this into a positive (we need it right now!!!) and not shoot ourselves in the foot / cut of our noses to spite our own face.