after police were called to his house following a complaint on January 29<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe 34-year-old, who was contracted for the 2026 season, has reportedly reached a confidential settlement with the club.<\/p>\n
He announced his retirement on Sunday night via social media.<\/p>\n
“It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to step away and retire from the AFL,” May posted on Instagram.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
May started his career with Gold Coast in 2011 and captained the Suns before moving to Melbourne at the end of 2018.<\/p>\n
The two-time All-Australian played 251 senior matches and was a key figure in the Demons’ drought-breaking 2021 premiership.<\/p>\n
“As a kid from Darwin, all I ever wanted was to play one game of AFL,” May wrote.<\/p>\n
“To have lived that dream and had the career I’ve had is something I’ll be forever grateful for.”<\/p>\n
In a club statement on Sunday night, Melbourne said May had decided to retire in order to “focus on his family and his own personal growth”.<\/p>\n
Demons chief executive Paul Guerra thanked May for his contribution to the club.<\/p>\n
“We’re pleased that Steven has made the decision that, at this stage of his life, stepping away from football to focus on building a positive future for himself and his family is his best path forward,” Guerra said.<\/p>\n
“We wish Steven and his family all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.”<\/p>\n
May and former Suns teammate Dion Prestia are facing criminal charges after a brawl in Sorrento on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in late 2024.<\/p>\n
The pair have asked for the charges to be withdrawn, saying they were not present at the brawl.<\/p>\n
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