Simon Goodwin has revealed that Melbourne defender Steven May carried a significant hamstring injury through Saturday’s 74-point Grand Final win over the Western Bulldogs.
The All Australian originally suffered the injury in the Preliminary Final victory over Geelong, and Goodwin admitted that scans shortly after highlighted a “reasonable tear”.
With May again tweaking the injury in the second half of the Grand Final, Goodwin was asked post-match how severe the concern was.
“Yeah, it was solid,” Goodwin replied.
“Yeah, it had a reasonable tear to it.
“But the medicos and fitness staff did an unbelievable job, they treated it clinically.
“He had a scan and the results there weren’t great, we treated it clinically, all his strength was there
“He trained fully, he got through all the tests and we were prepared to take that risk, as he was.
“Incredible job by our medicos really, an unbelievable job.”
Goodwin admitted that May would’ve been sidelined if the injury had occurred at any other stage of the season.
“If it was Round 14, he’s probably not playing,” Goodwin said.
“You would’ve given him a few weeks to settle it down.
“But, we haven’t got a few weeks, we had to win today, he was fit and he was ready.”
Despite the injury, May played out the entire game, restricting Bulldog forward Aaron Naughton to one goal, while picking up 14 disposals of his own.