A dangerous high shot by Melbourne defender Steven May led to a huge brawl during the recent AFL match. This dangerous move came under fire when it resulted in a near-fatal accident to Carlton resident, Francis Evans. The incident occurred midway through the third term and has sparked significant debate among commentators and coaches regarding player safety and discipline.
The impact of the crash between May and Evans was horrific, with Evans down on the ground bleeding profusely from his face. Medical personnel rushed to Evans on the field, where he was later determined to have a concussion and ruled out for the remainder of the game. According to news reports, his injury was so severe that he knocked out a tooth after taking the hit. This incident has understandably led to broader questions about the appropriateness of May’s actions during the game.
Melbourne’s coach, Simon Goodwin, came to the defence of his player, saying that May was just trying to play the ball during the incident. While Goodwin ultimately defended May’s actions, he acknowledged that the match review officer would still review them. This new review compounds the uncertainty about what kind of player punishment will await them.
Proxy commentator David King went on a tirade against May’s action. He deemed the high shot a deliberate strike, calling it a return to “a bygone era.” He expressed concern over the nature of modern football and called for a suspension of at least six weeks for May, suggesting that such behavior has no place in today’s game. He quickly tempered that proposal, suggesting a suspension of “three-plus” weeks instead.
The incident quickly grew into one of the biggest debate fodders of a contest that eventually saw Carlton run out winners. King articulated his frustration further, stating, “He picked him off. It’s as simple as that. This is from a bygone era. This is not 2025.” He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, adding, “He’s played his last game for the season. That’s as bad as it gets. You’ve got a player in a vulnerable position, you choose to bump, you hit nothing but the absolute middle of his face.”
Nathan Buckley chimed in on the incident, asking rhetorical questions about the intentions of players with respect to player safety in the game of football. He remarked, “It’s a tough one isn’t it? He didn’t lift the arm; he was desperate to go for the ball. He kept the hands down for the ball… probably these days you have to step out of the way don’t you?” He questioned whether the game can allow such incidents under current rules, stating, “I don’t know whether our game is capable of allowing that anymore.”
Buckley noted that it is essential to consider both intent and outcome in assessing such plays. “What do we expect Steven May to do in that situation? To not compete, to not contest or is there something he could have done a split second to mitigate against that injury occurring?”
Conversations around this episode are far from over. Fans and football analysts alike are looking forward to seeing how the AFL will continue to place player safety above all else. The league is stepping up its fight to prevent head injuries and keep players in high-risk positions safe. This new focus is what makes this incident so remarkable.
