Steven May needs to be as honest with himself as Melbourne were with him

Melbourne’s hierarchy were honest with Steven May at the end of last season.

Now it’s his responsibility to be honest with them, and, importantly, himself, as to what led to the police attending his house last week.

The AFL is watching too, with league CEO Andrew Dillon confirming on Thursday that its integrity department is being “kept abreast of [the situation] by Melbourne”, but right now, this is a matter in the hands of the club and the player.

His football future hangs in the balance but no decision is likely this week.

Melbourne’s frankness with May started at the end of last season, when he was told he was not a guaranteed selection in the AFL team under new coach Steven King, despite having a year remaining on his contract, and that he should explore his options elsewhere.

No option presented.

Clubs such as the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood that might have needed a key defender didn’t entertain the prospect.

Footy intel informed other clubs that May would eventually face court to answer affray charges that alleged he was involved in a fracas in Sorrento in late 2024 (he denies any involvement and his counsel has asked for charges to be dropped, with the matter to be heard in the Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20). His pre-season was, therefore, never going to be drama free.

So the 34-year-old returned to the Demons aware of where he stood in a team looking to regenerate under King, and in a competition where key defenders don’t grow on trees.

Daniel Turner, Tom McDonald, Harrison Petty and Jake Lever can play back and Xavier Taylor, the No.11 pick from the national draft, will develop alongside them and a collection of mid-sized defenders such as Blake Howes and Christian Salem.

After a fine career, including a premiership and two All-Australian blazers, May was no longer essential on the Demons’ list.

Facing that reality with maturity was a challenge May needed to face as he headed into this season.

Melbourne could have tried to cut him loose, pay out the final year of his contract and left him to his own devices. It would have been a hard call, but consistent with the outlook of a new regime that jettisoned star midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver in the trade period.

King, instead, gave everyone, including May, a fresh slate.

None of the issues that had arisen in the past at Melbourne (and there were plenty) would determine how the new coach treated players. They would prove to him who they were and what environment they wanted to create.

That is to the club’s credit as it allowed May the opportunity to prepare for life after football and contribute, if he chose, in a positive fashion in 2026.

It was up to him to make the most of that chance to ensure he was heading in the right direction when the end inevitably came, as it does for all players.

But more unwanted headlines have again raised questions of whether Melbourne need the distractions that often accompany him for another year. In short: they don’t.

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The headlines should also have May contemplating what is best for him, his family and the football club in 2026 as he is given time away to consider that question.

The situation presents Melbourne’s new set of leaders with an opportunity, and May too, because how the Demons handle him will set the tone for a group that was crying out for consistency in decision-making by the end of Simon Goodwin’s flag-winning era as coach.

And how May handles it could lead to him being considered in a different light to how many view him right now.

To make a good decision, King, new president Steven Smith, new CEO Paul Guerra and new chief of football and innovation Ned Guy (who was May’s manager until 2017) need from May the same honesty he received from the club last October.

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Honesty about where he is at in his career and life, what he values and aspires to be and what support he might need to get there.

If May can provide that honesty and buy in to support, the right decision will flow from there.

The Demons have the proper people in place and the responsibility to show with May during 2026 that whenever a player exits the club they are supported as much as possible to successfully make the transition from player to former player.

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