Territorian Steven May AFL finals footy journey finally rewarded

Melbourne defender — and Territorian — Steven May’s 11-year journey to play AFL finals football has finally been rewarded.

A DECADE after joining the Gold Coast Suns as a 19-year-old utility player, Territorian Steven May is set to play his first AFL final in a Melbourne jumper.

Eight seasons and 123 games with the Suns resulted in no finals action, but three seasons in the red and blue of Melbourne will finally culminate in a qualifying final.

Steven May at Melbourne training this week. The Southern Districts product will play in his first AFL final on Saturday night. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Saturday night’s qualifying final against Brisbane is a significant achievement for May who spent his formative years in the red, white and black of NTFL club Southern Districts.

“It’s obviously pretty surreal, I left the Gold Coast a few years ago to come down here and try and chase some success,’’ May said.

“But we’ve been building really well and yes, I’m really stoked and actually can’t wait, I’m glad there’s no finals bye and we’ll get straight into it.’’

Originally a big marking forward with Districts and the Territory Thunder underage program, May’s strength and footy nous in the Melbourne defence has become a big part of his new club’s push for a drought breaking premiership.

MORE NT SPORT NEWS

‘Not sufficient’: Report slams governance of Territory’s greyhound industry

WATCH TODAY’S LIVESTREAM from 6pm: City Cyclones vs Northern Tide in T20 Strike League

Voting under way for new Darwin Turf Club board

Not since 1964 when a late Neil Crompton goal gave minor premier Melbourne a four-point win over rivals Collingwood, has the premiership Cup belonged to Melbourne.

May concedes there have been times when thoughts of playing in a Demons side that snapped a 57-year premiership drought have entered his optimistic mind.

“You catch yourself sometimes thinking about the what-ifs and why can’t it be us,’’ the 44-game Demon said.

“You set out as team to have the ultimate success and right from the start of the year you want to win a premiership.

“Obviously there are little goals stemming from that, but to finish on top of the ladder and really set ourselves up for an unbelievable opportunity to dare to dream I suppose by lifting the Cup.

“It’s still a long way away, but I’m just so excited by how we got here and where we are right now.’’

The Melbourne-Brisbane final is one of two qualifying finals at the Adelaide Oval.

Geelong and Port Adelaide meet in Friday night’s first match at the ground.