Steven May was in the wrong for drinking, but the pile-on was heavier than the crime

One week Joe Daniher had the green light to drink while in rehab, the next Steven May is being castigated for doing the same. Mark Robinson writes whatever you think of May’s drinking, it is a story.

Melbourne recruit Steven May caught drinking.

Welcome to the world of the football pile-on.

This time under the heap was Steven May.

May’s sin was to have a beer with mates on Sunday afternoon.

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Some jerk took a photo, forwarded it to media and to the club, and on Tuesday May apologised to his Melbourne teammates, explaining he was dealing with personal issues and that the Sunday session was a welcome release.

May wasn’t sanctioned despite the club having a “blanket ban’’ on players drinking while injured.

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May is listed to return in a month after suffering a groin injury, after suffering a hamstring injury, after arriving at the club from Gold Coast in a condition not suited to the standing of a professional footballer.

There’s the angst.

Steven May is still a few weeks off resuming. Pic: Getty Images

Because, really, drinking on Sunday arvo is a minor issue in isolation.

If it was catastrophic, as some have indicated, surely the Melbourne leadership would have fined or suspended him.

The players gave him their support and in return all they ask is May do everything to get himself fit.

After all, he’s played one game after being shopped south for the No.6 pick and unquestionably, to date, has been a monumental flop.

The drinking-while-injured mantra is a serious issue — at some clubs.

Not at Essendon.

When the Herald Sun recently wrote Joe Daniher, who was recovering from a groin injury, had a few beers on a Saturday night, the pile-on was on the newspaper and not Daniher.

Commentator Garry Lyon, who with Paul Roos and Gerard Healy was critical of May on Fox Footy on Monday night, was staggered by the Daniher story.

“What’s this stuff about Joe Daniher? Why would this be news that Daniher was out on Saturday night at his local pub or bar having farewell drinks and having a couple of beers, why is that a story?” Lyon said on SEN Radio.

“You wonder why players stop going out and then become sort of prisoners in their own home.

“Just because you happen to have an injury. You’ve rehabbed, you’ve worked your backside off, you’re in a situation where you know you’re in good shape and you go out and have a beer at a mate’s going-away party.’’

Co-commentator Tim Watson joined in. “They say because you’re out injured — what are you allowed to do, what are you not allowed to do. He wasn’t rolling drunk, he was just having a quiet drink with his mates.’’

Lyon and Roos, the former coach of Melbourne, however were piercing with their criticism of May.

"Football is not his priority." - Paul Roos on Steven May. pic.twitter.com/eKdFjXOaWX

— FOX FOOTY (@FOXFOOTY) May 7, 2019

“What it tells me, and we know we have to be careful because we know players go through difficult times and I don’t know what he’s going through, but what I do know is footy’s not a priority for him. It’s clearly not a priority,” Roos said.

Lyon added: “It’s really disappointing for the football club and he’s let himself down. What it says, it would appear, is that for however long he was in the system up there (at Gold Coast) he hadn’t learnt the behaviours of an elite, professional AFL footballer.

“He’s a big-money footballer, he’s a professional footballer and that won’t be accepted.”

Contradictory opinions of the behaviour between Daniher and May?

Maybe, because the principle is drinking while in rehab.

But May has form, or at least angry Melbourne people not in his corner.

There’s two views on this issue: May was unlucky or May is a fool.

Someone snapped Steven May having a beer and sent it on.

There’s little doubt other players drink in rehab, but they don’t get caught.

Players Association boss Paul Marsh said it was “very difficult’’ for players to live their lives. “Is that really the environment we want — someone taking a photo?’’

He acknowledged Melbourne had rules in place in terms of drinking while injured.

Not everyone piled on, however.

Commentator Matthew Richardson tweeted: “Not even a story ... must be a very slow news day.’’

Sorry, Richo, it was a story as soon as it was revealed May was planning to apologise to his teammates.

As for the pile-on, Marsh was not surprised. “There’s a pile on by everyone when there’s an issue,’’ he said.

Not even a story Quarters. Must be a very slow news day. https://t.co/VijPydk7ie

— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) May 7, 2019