Melbourne Demons star Steven May cops three-game suspension at tribunal

Melbourne star Steven May has been suspended at the AFL tribunal after a nasty incident in his side’s clash with Carlton last weekend.

The 33-year-old was referred straight to the tribunal for a hit that left Francis Evans bloodied and substituted out of the match at the MCG.

The MRO deemed the incident was careless with severe impact and high contract, with the Demons entering a plea of not guilty and claiming it was “not unreasonable”.

May has now been slapped with a three-game ban for the incident, ruling him out of upcoming fixtures against St Kilda, West Coast and Western Bulldogs.

Steven May’s bump on Francis Evans Fox Footy/Getty

The premiership-winning defender gave evidence at the tribunal, claiming he believed he was “going to get to the ball first” and couldn’t pull out of contact with Evans.

“I just can’t believe I didn’t take possession,” May said at the hearing.

“I thought I did everything right, so I’m just a bit shocked.”

The AFL argued that May had breached the “duty of care” and should have been able to “change his momentum or trajectory” before colliding with the Blues player.

Melbourne also attempted to use a text message exchange between May and Evans as part of their evidence, which the AFL seeked to have dismissed due to late submission.

After a lengthy deliberation, May’s suspension was upheld.

In the initial aftermath of the incident, Essendon great James Hird sympathised with May and claimed that five years ago he wouldn’t have been suspended.

“I feel for Steven May – this is a really difficult one,” he told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“I don’t think he has gone out on purpose to hurt anybody.

“Five years ago, it wouldn’t of got weeks. But the rules have changed and unfortunately for him his shoulder gets him in the head.”

May will likely return to the Demons line-up for the clash with Hawthorn on August 16.

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