Melbourne Demons veteran is ‘asked by his club to explain why police visited his home’ last week – as concerns linger over premiership winner’s AFL future
Questions are mounting over Steven May’s future at the Melbourne Demons, after the club reportedly asked the veteran defender about why police paid a visit to his home last week.
The Herald Sun claimed that officers had made a visit to the 34-year-old’s residence after ‘somebody close to the troubled defender made the call to police’.
In a fresh report, the outlet added today that the club has approached May, asking him to provide details about why officers attended his home.
A club spokesperson said: ‘The Melbourne Football Club is aware that Victoria Police attended the home of Steven May last week.
‘The club is not in a position to comment at this stage.’
The report adds that no charges were laid. There is no suggestion by Daily Mail of any wrongdoing by May.
Police reportedly visited Steven May’s (pictured) house last week after ‘somebody close to the troubled defender made the call to police’
May (centre) was told he could explore opportunities elsewhere by the footy club during last year’s trade period
7News reporter Mitch Cleary states that May has not returned to training and has ‘taken an indefinite leave from the club’, with the two-time All-Australian also missing pre-season training on Wednesday.
May, who played a pivotal role in helping the Demons break their 62-year wait for a Premiership back in 2021, has a year remaining on his contract with the Victorian club.
It comes as May is also fighting charges relating to an alleged brawl at the Continental Hotel in Sorrento on Boxing Day in 2024.
He and Richmond’s Dion Prestia, 33, appeared at Dromana Magistrates Court earlier in January for a hearing.
It is understood that two individuals were taken to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries following the alleged incident.
In October, May was charged on summons with affray, while Prestia was charged on summons with recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury and affray.
Both players have denied that they were ‘physically present or physically involved’ during the alleged brawl and have also maintained their innocence.
It comes after May and Richmond player Dion Prestia (pictured) were charged following an alleged brawl in Sorrento on Boxing Day last year
The allged brawl is understood to have taken place at the Continental Hotel in Sorrento. Both May and Prestia have denied the charges against them saying they ‘were not present’
Demons players participated in a pre-season training session on Wednesday, but May (pictured) was not present
‘Steven has advised the club that he was not involved in the alleged incident and will strongly defend the charge in court,’ a club statement said in October.
Prestia said: ‘I deny that I am guilty of these offences and will strenuously defend these charges.’
The pair are due to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20.
It is understood that May has been training with his team-mates during the off-season as he hopes to rekindle his previous form.
During last year’s trade period, May was reportedly told he could explore opportunities elsewhere, but a move to a rival club did not materialise.
The 34-year-old was drafted to the Gold Coast in 2010 and would spend eight seasons with the Queensland outfit, before moving to Melbourne.
May has made 128 appearances for the Demons since joining, but has struggled for form over the past two seasons. In 2025, he featured in 16 matches, averaging 17 disposals while making only 12 tackles.
Melbourne are currently going through a transitional period after the club finished 14th in the AFL last season.
Head coach Simon Goodwin was sacked in August after the Demons board had lost faith in the club’s direction. He was later replaced by former St Kilda and Western Bulldogs coach Steven King.
The Demons have also lost star players Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver during the trade period. The club, meanwhile, bolstered its list by signing Jack Steele, Changkuoth Jiath and Brody Mihocek.
