Steven May’s post-origins bender has recently sparked a firestorm of debate within the Melbourne FC. After a long line of unacceptable behavior, many have begun to doubt his promise to the franchise. The 31-year-old defender copped significant vitriol after a widely reported run-in with skipper Max Gawn. This was the second incident to take place following Melbourne’s defeat to Collingwood on King’s Birthday. This public war of words marks the most recent occurrence in a pattern of unusually alarming behaviors. These incidents have placed May’s future with the club in serious doubt.
Following the loss to Collingwood, May gave off a lack of care during an important team meeting led by Gawn. Reports indicate that while Gawn spoke to his teammates about the game, May was seen conversing with young player Blake Howes, seemingly ignoring the captain’s words. This kind of behavior has not escaped criticism either, as former players and commentators alike took to social media to show their disgust.
Caroline Wilson, a respected commentator, criticized May’s actions, stating, “Is that unusual for a captain who is addressing the team for the last time after a game to have one of your leaders just sitting there chatting away with (Blake Howes) as he is? To me, that was a really poor look.” She went on to call May’s actions unprofessional and a symptom of the toxic environment that permeated the team culture.
This incident follows another occurrence after last Friday’s loss, which has heightened concerns about May’s commitment to the club. In June, it was reported that a number of players were uncomfortable. They worried that May would not be answerable for his conduct, whether on the field or in public. He’d been involved in a more serious incident with teammate Jack Melksham earlier in the 2022 season. This mishap surely lowers the temperature on Barrett’s recent White House troubles.
Former player Luke Hodge offered a more nuanced take, arguing that there had to be more to the story to explain May’s actions. It’s difficult to provide without knowing,” he said. “He could have asked May a question and he could be just answering the question for a young fella.” On the one hand, Hodge recognized that the optics did not look good.
Adding to the turmoil, May’s form on the field has noticeably declined this season, leading to questions about his dedication to Melbourne’s objectives. His efforts against Collingwood were where eyebrows were first raised as he looked like he was totally checked out on the squad’s initial push. The circumstances have only deepened the chatter around May’s long-term fate with the club, despite being under contract through 2026.
Reports indicate that May is heavily linked to a potential exit from Melbourne, which raises further questions about his alignment with the team’s culture and values. Wilson commented on this uncertainty, stating that it is “informed speculation based on previous instances,” alluding to his earlier conflicts and current predicament.
Wilson emphasized that if May were indeed unhappy at the club, it might be in everyone’s best interest for him to depart. “If he doesn’t want to be there, move on, absolutely. The club gets something in return,” she remarked.
As tensions rise within the team and questions about leadership emerge, it remains unclear how the Melbourne Football Club will address these issues. Deeper issues of management will require hard conversations about accountability and healthy teams to bring balance back.
