Melbourne recruit Steven May says he didn’t want a year of trade speculation

STAR Melbourne recruit Steven May says he only decided late in the trade period he wanted to play for Melbourne — then quickly realised the Demons might not be able to get the deal done.

Former Suns co-captain Steven May in his first Melbourne Football Club appearance. Picture: Tony Gough

NEW Melbourne full-back Steven May says becoming another AFL captain to depart Gold Coast weighed heavily on his mind this season.

But May believes he can help form one of the best backlines in the competition after deciding he could not live through another season of trade speculation

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Suns co-captain May revealed he eventually requested a trade to the Demons, adamant the chance to play in big games at the MCG over-rode his loyalty to the Suns.

Unveiled as a Melbourne player at Federation Square, May joins Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch and Ryan Griffen as players to leave their clubs as current or recent captains, with Hawks premiership captain Luke Hodge retiring then joining Brisbane.

Asked about Bob Murphy’s firm belief a captain should not leave his club, May said it made his decision even harder.

“Spot on. It is obviously a very humbling and unreal privilege to captain an AFL club and to have to give that up to move, it played on my mind a lot,” he said.

“But I had to think about my future and what I wanted to get out of my career.

Melbourne recruit Steven May settles into his new home. Picture: Tony Gough

“And I can’t leave the Suns with a captain in limbo going into another season, which they have had for the last couple ofyears.

“Tommy (Lynch) is such a loyal and loving guy and to see him going through that this year wasn’t nice.

“I didn’t want to go through that again, not only for me but the club.

“They didn’t need that and the fans didn’t need another captain who wasn’t committed long-term so I thought if I have already made up my mind I might as well be honest with the club and move forward if the time is right.”

May said he chose Melbourne over Collingwood late in the trade period, then quickly realise the Demons might not be able to get the deal done.

“Collingwood are a really good team and it just came down to that feel and I felt like the opportunity for success was at Melbourne with the coaching staff and playing list, it just was the right fit for me,” May said.

“Probably that Friday of trade week I spoke to my manager and said can we try to get to Melbourne and then coincidentally (Fremantle’s) Peter Bell said they are not trading for Jesse any more, so I got a little bit nervous. But I understand that’s how the game works.”

He and Lynch will run into each other on Anzac Eve in the blockbuster Melbourne vs Richmond game, but maybe not play on each other.

“He said he’s looking forward to playing on me but I said I will probably play on the best forward so that’s Jack (Riewoldt) ... so there was a bit of banter going on but for him as well it’s exciting times. We are great mates and will be living pretty close to each other, so I can’t wait.”

May is adamant the Suns do not need more financial help from the AFL, but says they are in for another long hard rebuild.

“It’s going to be a tough time but they really do have the right people in place now and they are going to go to the draft and start again.”

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Originally published as Melbourne recruit Steven May says he didn’t want a year of trade speculation