Melbourne captain Max Gawn defends teammate Steven May amid fallout from MCG clash between duo

In a few short words Melbourne captain Max Gawn moved to put a full stop on the goalsquare clash with a teammate that set tongues wagging.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn has further moved to defuse any speculation of a relationship breakdown with defender Steven May, declaring his own reaction was “poor” after a post-siren exchange at the MCG on Monday.

Gawn confirmed the pair were “still talking” via text and said it was important to “defend” May after the clash.

After a Gawn miskick in the final seconds sealed a one-point loss to Collingwood, the premiership-winning teammates clashed, with cameras catching the Demons captain looking angry after what appeared to be a serve from May.

In the aftermath, both Gawn and his coach Simon Goodwin declared the incident was just two passionate and competitive teammates, and on Monday morning the seven-time All Australian cleared the air once and for all.

Steven May and Max Gawn face off after the final siren.

While he couldn’t remember what May “actually said”, Gawn said he should have known his teammate’s words were coming from a place of “care”.

“I think it says (a bit about) both of us; we were both extremely disappointed in that last 30 seconds. I thought my reaction was really poor,” Gawn said.

“I had a teammate showing care, his version of care from a long history with Steven May. I know that. I’m really agreeable with how strong his feedback and terminology and body language is on-ground because he gets the best out of his team.

“I can’t confidently say what was said. It was definitely around my decision (to centre the ball). I agree with him in hindsight that my decision was poor. It was a killer of a kick.”

Gawn said he reacted badly because he was “sick of losing to Collingwood” and other close losses and wanted to stick up for May.

“It was all going on in my head. I was extremely disappointed. We had a chance to win the game, and that played out in the goalsquare,” he told Triple M’s Mick in the Morning.

“I’m here to defend Steven. He’s copped it a little bit in the media over the last 24 hours. If he had his time again, he might not do it on the final siren with a camera there.

“That’s both of us throughout the whole game, and unfortunately, that’s been caught on camera. I make it a bigger thing by pushing him away, and I’m slightly disappointed in how it’s played out.”

Gawn said the duo were “all good”.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and he has respect for me. We’re currently still talking through it via text,” he said.