Steven May has announced his retirement, just days out from the AFL season opener, after negotiating a settlement with the Demons to leave while contracted.
The former Melbourne superstar and inaugural Gold Coast player announced on social media he was stepping away from the game after a rollercoaster 12 months.
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“I’m not shocked. He’s read the writing on the wall,” Fox Footy analyst David King said after hearing the news.
May, 34, was an integral part of the Demons’ drought-breaking 2021 premiership including playing hurt in the Grand Final win over the Western Bulldogs.
The Demons chose to trade in May from the Suns after the 2018 season, and it paid massive dividends as he partnered with Jake Lever in an excellent back six.
But May has reportedly negotiated a payout with the club having been absent for the past month following police attending his house after a complaint in late January.
In a separate incident May and former teammate Dion Prestia were charged over their alleged involvement in a fight at a Mornington Peninsula pub in December 2024.
They have asked for the charges to be dropped having claimed they were not present during the fight.
May was expected to tell teammates of his decision on Monday but instead took to social media on Sunday night amid widespread media reports of his plans.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to step away and retire from the AFL,” May wrote on Instagram.
“It’s an incredibly tough decision to make on the eve of the season but I know it’s the right one for myself, my family and the team.
“As a kid from Darwin, all I ever wanted was to play one game of AFL. To have lived that dream and had the career I’ve had is something I’ll be forever grateful for.
“Thank you to the Gold Coast Suns for initially giving me that opportunity, starting in the inaugural season sure was an experience I’ll never forget and happy to have played a tiny role in the club’s inception.
“Thank you to the Melbourne Football Club for seeing something in me and pursuing me, it was a hard decision to leave my club but a decision that paid dividends and I’ll forever be a premiership player for such a historic club. It truly was a privilege to have been part of this club and this group of boys. The lifelong relationships and memories will stay with me forever.
“Right now the club, Kingy and the boys deserve some clean air and no distractions moving forward, and I wish the lads nothing but success ahead. Very exciting times for our fans.
“Forever grateful. Mayzy.”
May retiring now allows the Demons to consider adding a rookie to their list by the 5pm Monday deadline, though they do not have any players who have trained with them over the summer to choose from.
He is believed to be on over $700,000 this year.
The Demons were willing to trade May over the off-season but he found no suitors elsewhere after a decline in form.
May played 251 AFL games with 128 at Melbourne and 123 at Gold Coast, and was a dual All-Australian.
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