Premiership Demon announces AFL retirement

After seven years of service with the Demons, Steven May has officially retired from AFL football.

As reported by Tom Morris, the Premiership defender mutually agreed with the club to a contractual settlement, ending his career just days out from the 2026 AFL season.

May released this statement via Instagram on Sunday night:

For weeks, speculation over his future has been relentless with SEN's Kane Cornes and David King adamant he would not suit up for the club in 2026.

“He is front page again," Cornes said at the start of February. "He will never play again for Melbourne I would be certain. It’s how they go about the exit now and do what’s best for the Melbourne Football Club.

“This is a build up of events when a player becomes too much of a distraction and this is a club that wants to start afresh.

“You get more grace when you’re a gun, you get extra chances than you do when you’re 34.”

May has not played a part in Melbourne's pre-season and was granted personal leave earlier this month following allegations that the police had visited his address after reports of threatening behaviour.

The 2021 Premiership player also remains under investigation for an alleged altercation near the Sorrento Hotel in 2024 involving him and Richmond's Dion Prestia. The pair have denied they were present at the fight.

The two-time All Australian played 128 of his 251 games with the Demons.

The SSP deadline is on Monday, March 2.

The Demons begin their season on March 15 against the Saints at the MCG.