Melbourne players 'kept in the dark' on Steven May retirement, says captain Max Gawn

Melbourne captain Max Gawn admits he and the playing group have been "kept in the dark" surrounding the circumstances of Steven May's shock retirement on Sunday night.

The 34-year-old had not been training in recent weeks and was not sighted at either of the Demons' pre-season matches, having taken personal leave after police were called to his house in January.

It's believed the police visit was separate to the charges he and Richmond premiership midfielder Dion Prestia are facing over their alleged involvement in a December 2024 fight. May and Prestia have asked the court to withdraw the charges, insisting they were not at the brawl.

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Gawn revealed May would be at the club on Monday to address the playing group and said he hoped to learn more from the man himself.

"We've sort of been kept in the dark a little bit on this as a playing group. He just hasn't been at training and the word has been that he's been focused on his family and himself, and we've all been behind that," Gawn told Triple M's Mick in the Morning.

"As recently as last night was when we got filled in.

"May will come into the club today and do some sort of retirement speech and we'll get a bit more information from Steve himself.

"The quote from Steve and in the club's WhatsApp is that he's retiring to focus on his family and himself."

Gawn added that he did not see the retirement coming from his premiership teammate, given the season is only a few days away from starting.

"As captain, no, as a general bystander you go, ‘he hasn't trained for four or five weeks, something is coming'," he said.

"Did I think a retirement? Probably not just because I'm very unaware of why you would retire in March until we found out it creates a list spot.

"I think it's all very unusual when a player retires in March. I think it was all starting to get leaked out from a few journalists, so Steve and the club got on the front foot and did it last night, and now he'll be in at the club today."

Melbourne can now replace May on its list via the supplemental selection period, or hold the list spot open for the mid-season draft.

Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel paid tribute to the career of May, saying this was likely "brewing" following the club asking him to explore his options in the trade period.

The Geelong champion also believes the Dees would not have won the 2021 premiership without him, although it has been a tumultuous conclusion to his career.

"I don't think anyone sees a retirement on the eve of the season coming, especially someone of Steven May's standing," Bartel told Nine's Today.

"It's been brewing over the summer. When Steven King came in as the new Melbourne coach, he asked May to have a look around (in the trade period) and see if he could get himself to another team.

"We thought maybe he would end up at another team with all that experience as an All-Australian defender, premiership player. They couldn't get (a trade) done.

"They were pretty clear with him that they probably weren't going to play him a lot this year and that at many stages he might be playing in the VFL."

King replaced the sacked Simon Goodwin following the 2025 season and has already made sweeping changes, including moving on from premiership heroes Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and now May.

"He's been wonderful for Melbourne. They don't win the premiership without him. The unusual nature is it happening so close to the season," he said.

He took to Instagram on Sunday night to confirm his retirement, saying his teammates and the club "deserve some clean air and no distractions".

May, a veteran of 251 AFL games, retired despite having a year to run on his contract.

"It's with a heavy heart that I've decided to step away and retire from the AFL," May said.

"It's an incredibly tough decision to make on the eve of the season but I know it's the right one for myself, my family and the team.

"As a kid from Darwin, all I ever wanted was to play one game of AFL. To have lived that dream and had the career I've had is something I'll be forever grateful for."

May debuted in the AFL with the Gold Coast Suns in 2011. He played 128 games with the Suns and captained the club, before being traded after the 2018 season to the Demons, with whom he played 123 matches.

"Thank you to the Gold Coast Suns for initially giving me that opportunity, starting in the inaugural season sure was an experience I'll never forget and happy to have played a tiny role in the club's inception," May continued.

"Thank you to the Melbourne Football Club for seeing something in me and pursuing me, it was a hard decision to leave my club but a decision that paid dividends and I'll forever be a premiership player for such a historic club. It truly was a privilege to have been part of this club and this group of boys. The lifelong relationships and memories will stay with me forever.

"Right now the club, Kingy [Demons coach Steven King] and the boys deserve some clean air and no distractions moving forward, and I wish the lads nothing but success ahead.

"Very exciting times for our fans.

"Forever grateful. Mayzy."

At the peak of his powers, May was considered one of the best defenders in the league. He twice earned All-Australian selection, in 2021 and 2022.

His time at both the Suns and Demons was marred by a string of alcohol-related dramas.

"We thank Steven for his efforts in the red and blue and the commitment he brought to the club during his time," said Demons chief executive Paul Guerra in a club statement.

"We're pleased that Steven has made the decision that, at this stage of his life, stepping away from football to focus on building a positive future for himself and his family is his best path forward.

"We wish Steven and his family all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life."