Demons to appeal Steven May’s three-game ban

Even after a marathon hearing on Wednesday night, the saga involving Steven May’s hit on Francis Evans isn’t over yet, with the Dees set to appeal the tribunal’s three-game ban.

Melbourne has decided to appeal Steven May’s three-week ban for colliding with Francis Evans but is aware it will face a high bar to overturn his contentious suspension.

May was banned after the tribunal decided that a reasonable player would have had time to alter the course of the collision once it became obvious he was going to reach the ball second.

The appeal will be held next week, with May still in the concussion protocols so not available for this weekend’s clash.

Evans was left with a broken nose, lost tooth and concussion after he and May collided as both approached the ground ball.

Steven May's collision with Francis Evans

Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson confirmed the appeal and said the club felt May had approached the contest in a “reasonable way”.

The Demons cannot simply re-try the case — they must find an error of law or prove that the decision was manifestly excessive.

But the Demons were floored they were unable to use a text message from Evans to May who conceded he believed his Demons opponent was going to get to the ball first.

The tribunal decided it was of limited value on the night, and instead found May guilty.

But the Demons felt it was clear evidence that both players had a play on the ball and that May was not negligent in trying to win the football.

May will not play this week regardless.

He will miss this week’s clash with concussion anyway but the Demons believed it was the correct decision to fight with an appeal.

Tribunal boss Jeff Gleeson said that May had a “relatively long period of time” to sum up his decision but the Demons were floored with the outcome.

Richardson said the Demons had studied the case on Thursday morning and was now keen to appeal.

“We felt we presented a really strong case and Steven’s sole intention was to win the ball, and we believe he provided a contest in a reasonable way given the circumstances,” he said.

“After reviewing the outcome and seeking further expert legal advice this morning, we have decided to appeal the Tribunal’s decision,” Richardson said.

Originally published as Demons to appeal Steven May’s three-game ban