Steven May not up for trade by the Gold Coast Suns

SUNS football manager Jon Haines has issued a hands off to rival AFL clubs trying to poach Steven May, declaring the captain a required player who isn’t up for trade.

Gold Coast captain Steven May at training. Picture: Jerad Williams.

SUNS football manager Jon Haines has issued a hands off to rival AFL clubs trying to poach Steven May, declaring the captain a required player who isn’t up for trade.

May has been linked to a move to Collingwood at the end of this season in what would be another blow to Gold Coast who are also poised to lose key forward Tom Lynch at the end of the year.

The key defender has publicly brushed off suggestions he was considering asking for a trade a year before he comes out of contract while others have called on the club to move the 26-year-old on if he wasn’t willing to recommit in order to avoid another Lynch-type scenario in 2019.

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But Haines said under no circumstances would May be let go by the club.

“Steven is our captain and is contracted for next year,” Haines said.

“He is a required player and we don’t see any reason as to why there would be any discussion in the short term around that.

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“We are really keen to maintain Steve as a long term player of our football club and that’s where our intent will be.”

Haines wasn’t as assured when it came to off-contract midfielder Aaron Hall who had his season ended after suffering a pectoral injury during Gold Coast’s Round 11 game against Geelong on June 2.

Gold Coast captain Steven May at training. Picture: Jerad Williams.

It is understood Hall is seeking opportunities elsewhere and Haines said the club would be working with his management to determine what the future held for 27-year-old Tasmanian.

“We still need to work through with him and his manager what the best outcome is for Aaron,” Haines said.

“We will be doing that in the short term. We will be engaging with his manager, which we have been, over the next little bit to see what the next phase looks like with him.”

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