{"id":457876,"date":"2026-02-04T13:11:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/457876\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T13:11:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:11:19","slug":"melbourne-veteran-steven-may-missing-from-training-six-weeks-out-from-afl-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/457876\/","title":{"rendered":"Melbourne veteran Steven May missing from training six weeks out from AFL opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

Veteran Melbourne<\/a> defender Steven May\u2019s career is hanging by a thread after he was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed May has taken indefinite leave from the club and there is no timeline on his return, either.<\/p>\n

The drama comes just six weeks out from the start of the AFL<\/a> season and there are now genuine fears for his playing future.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

Cleary said Melbourne president Steve Smith, CEO Paul Guerra and football chief Ned Guy walked laps at training on Wednesday, \u201clocked in discussion\u2019s about May\u2019s future\u201d.<\/p>\n

May had a troubled season, last year, and concerns flared again recently around an alleged dispute \u2014 which prompted police to visit the 34-year-old\u2019s Peninsula home last Thursday<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s understood Demons officials are still yet to properly quiz May on the allegations,\u201d Cleary said.<\/p>\n

Cleary said May was already fighting for his spot in the team this year and now he was dealing with a \u201cdelicate personal matter\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201c(But) this latest matter leaves his spot at the Demons teetering on the brink.\u201d Cleary said.<\/p>\n

May was a key figure in last year\u2019s trade period, but failed to find a new home.<\/p>\n

The 2021 premiership defender will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season.<\/p>\n

Off the field, May and Richmond midfielder Dion Prestia are fighting criminal charges after a late-2024 brawl in Sorrento on Victoria\u2019s Mornington Peninsula.<\/p>\n

Last month, the pair asked for the charges to be withdrawn, saying they were not there.<\/p>\n

They are due to face Frankston Magistrates Court again on February 20.<\/p>\n

May played 16 senior games last year for a career total of 251. He endured a mixed season, serving a three-match ban for a high bump, and also had Hawthorn veteran Jack Gunston kick a bag of seven on him.<\/p>\n

The Demons are in major transition, with coach Simon Goodwin sacked last year and Steven King appointed for his first senior role.<\/p>\n

Star onballers Christian Petracca (Gold Coast) and Clayton Oliver (GWS) were traded after last season.<\/p>\n

– With AAP<\/p>\n

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AFL Origin squads confirmed but premiership hero gets scratched<\/p>\n

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